Toh Puan Hajjah Bandong Hasbollah, mother of Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak died this morning due to old age.

According to Toh Puan Bandong's grandson, Syarulnizam Salleh, Toh Puan Bandong, 85, was surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren when she took her last breath at 6.55am at the Kota Kinabalu KPJ Hospital here.

Among Toh Puan Bandong's children who were beside her when she breathed her last were Salleh, Datin Saidatul Badru, Datin Sandralilah, Saidatul Badariah and Zainoriah.

Salleh, who was attending the UMNO General Assembly in the capital, rushed back to Kota Kinabalu yesterday after the opening of the gathering to be with his mother.

The remains of Toh Puan Bandong will be brought to Sri Saza, the residence of Salleh in Likas, here before being taken to Kota Belud for burial at the Kg Siasai/Tombol Muslim cemetery this morning. -- Bernama