KOTA KINABALU: Former federal minister and Sabah veteran politician Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Gilong died today at the age of 88.

According to his daughter Cheri Gilong Avriett, Abdul Ghani died of old age at 12.12 am at the Hospital Queen Elizabeth here.

In sharing news of Abdul Ghani's passing on Facebook, Cheri and his son-in-law Norman Radzuan asked the people to pray for his soul to be placed among the righteous.

Abdul Ghani had served under the first three prime ministers of Malaysia, with his last post being Works and Public Service Minister in 1978.

Abdul Ghani, who was born on May 30, 1932 in Kampung Matan, Ranau, was one of the Sabah leaders involved in the formation of Malaysia.