Former deputy minister Datuk Yahya Lampong dies at 86

Former deputy rural development minister Datuk Yahya Lampong, who also served as the Kota Belud MP, died at the age of 86 at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Kuala Lumpur today. — Picture via Facebook

First Published: Monday, 21 Sep 2026 4:47 PM MYT

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 21 — Former deputy rural development minister Datuk Yahya Lampong, who also served as the Kota Belud Member of Parliament, died at the age of 86 at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, at about 6am today.

The death was confirmed by his son, Masley Yahya, in a Facebook post today, although the cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

“May Allah SWT forgive his sins, shower him with His mercy, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Aamiin. Please keep Papa in your doa,” Masley wrote in the post.

He said the remains would be taken to Nurul Islam Mosque in Ampang for bathing and funeral prayers before burial after the Zohor prayers.

Yahya served as the Kota Belud MP from 1982 to 1986 after winning the seat as an independent candidate in the 1982 General Election.

He also served as the Tempasuk state assemblyman on the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) ticket from 1985 to 1986.

Yahya began his political career in 1981 when he contested the Usukan state seat on the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Jelata Sabah (Berjaya) ticket.

He later contested the Papar parliamentary seat as a PKR candidate in the 2013 General Election. —Bernama