KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's first woman deputy chief minister, Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, died this morning at the age of 86.
She will be buried at the Tun Datu Mustapha Memorial in Putatan, near here.
Her death was confirmed by her son, Tengku Datuk Fuad Tengku Ahmad.
"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, who passed away peacefully at her residence today, the 16th day of June 2024.
"Ariah, known to her close friends as Irene Pritchard, was the wife of the late Brigadier General Tunku Ahmad Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, mother of Fuad, mother-in-law to Shirley, and grandmother of Adam, Alexander, and Anthony.
"Mum's life was characterised by distinction and service," Fuad said in a statement.
Ariah captained the Jesselton Athletics Team, was crowned Miss Jesselton 1956, served as a radio announcer and journalist, and was a former Kawang assemblywoman and Social Services minister, among other roles.
"But above all, she was an amazing mother and grandmother whom we all loved and shall miss dearly.
"Indeed, we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we return."