TAWAU: The death of Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan was described as a huge loss for the state.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this when conveying his condolences and prayer via his Twitter account to family members of the Apas assemblyman who died close to midnight on Wednesday.
He was 56.
Tawfiq was laid to rest at the Islamiah Cemetery here where many turned up to pay their last respects, offer their prayers and condolences to family members.
Among them was Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, State and Federal ministers as well as senior government heads, political and community leaders and the community.
Tawfiq died after battling cancer the last eight months at Prince Court hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Born on Oct 2, 1962, Tawfiq is the 10th out of 14 siblings.
He graduated as a chemistry engineer from Glamorgan university in Wales and worked for an oil and gas company in Labuan in 1987 before joining Sarawak Shell Berhad in Miri, Sarawak.
Tawfiq became active in politics from1995 and become Tawau Umno youth chief three years later before being appointed as State Umno youth chief between 2000 and 2003.
In the 2004 election, he won Apas seat and became Assistant Sabah Rural Development minister and assistant State Finance minister from 2008 to 2013.
He was appointed Youth and Sports Minister after retaining his seat in the last election.
Tawfiq left behind Datin Sharifah Rahmah Syed Ali and four children.
In Kota Kinabalu deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said he was saddened by the news of Tawfiq’s passing.
“We will always remember him as a hardworking and open leader who has contributed to unity among various races in Sabah.”