KOTA KINABALU: 20 September 2026 – Former Bongawan assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang died at his home in Kampung Sipanggil, Putatan, at midday today. He was 73.
The deceased breathed his last at the residence. News of his passing was confirmed by former Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Aidi Moktar.
Karim was a veteran Sabah political figure with long experience in state politics and administration.
He began his political journey in the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) before joining Umno.
Karim was subsequently elected as Bongawan assemblyman and served five terms from 1990 to 2013.
During that period, he was also entrusted with responsibility in the state government as an assistant minister, holding the finance, tourism, culture and environment portfolios.
After completing his service as Bongawan assemblyman, Karim continued his political involvement through Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
He was later fielded to contest the Kimanis parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election (GE14).
He contested the Kimanis parliamentary seat again in the 2020 Kimanis by-election.
In March 2024, Karim announced his exit from Warisan and joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat).
His passing at the age of 73 closes a long chapter in Sabah politics, after more than three decades as a people’s representative and in state government administration.
