Former Sabah deputy CM Ghapur Salleh dies aged 80

TAWAU – Former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh, 80, died at Gleneagles Hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 12.07am last night.

Former Kalabakan Umno secretary Mohd Ayaz Khan confirmed the passing of the former Kalabakan MP when contacted.

“I am on my way to Kota Kinabalu to attend the funeral. I was told that he suffered from various diseases including kidney problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s daughter, Noraini Abdul Ghapur, said her father’s remains were expected to be laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kg Likas in Kota Kinabalu this morning, and that the final rites would be held at the Kg Likas Jamek Mosque.

Ghapur began his career in politics in the early 1970s when he joined Berjaya. He was fielded to contest the Merotai state seat in Tawau in 1976 but was unsuccessful. 

However, in 1981 he won the seat and retained it in 1985 on a Barisan Nasional ticket.

Ghapur was MP for Kalabakan from 2004 until 2018 but failed to defend the seat in the 14th general election.

He was Sabah’s deputy chief minister between 1995 and 1997 and held various positions in the state cabinet including finance minister as well as communications and works minister. – Bernama, July 4, 2023