Former bodybuilding great Bujang Taha died at 10.47 pm yesterday at the Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) here due to complications from mouth and lung cancer and asthma. He was 77.

According to his daughter-in-law, Suzana Ibrahim, Bujang had been admitted to HUS a week ago due to asthma problems and that his children and grandchildren were at his bed side when he died.

"Former Malaysian bodybuilding great Datuk Malek Noor had told us he wanted to come and visit him but it is not to be," she told Bernama at the hospital.

At the peak of his career, Bujang won the Mr Asia title four times, in 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1986, and two SEA Games gold medals, in Kuala Lumpur in 1977 and Jakarta (1979).

He had also competed in the Mr Universe in Belgium in 1982.