KOTA KINABALU: Former Kunak assemblyman Datuk Nilwan Kabang (pic) was reported to have passed away due to Covid-19 early on Sunday (Sept 19).

       The 71-year-old Sabah Umno deputy information chief is believed to have breathed his last at 3.45am at a private hospital in the city here after over two weeks of treatment since earlier this month.

       Sabah Umno Information chief Datuk Raime Unggi said Nilwan is expected to be buried at the Muslim cemetery in Kg Ulu, Putatan and the burial will be handled by Health Department staff and officials.

       Those who knew Nilwan described him as a leader who was friendly, humble and easy to work with.

       Prior to this, Nilwan had held several state posts including as the Rural Development assistant minister.

       He was the Kunak assemblyman for two terms from 2008 to 2018, before losing the seat to Parti Warisan Sabah’s Norazlinah Arif.

       He was a veteran political leader who started from the era of the United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) before joining Umno when the party expanded its wings to Sabah in 1990.