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KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, Malaysia’s first woman deputy chief minister, died on Sunday morning at the age of 86.

According to her son, Tengku Datuk Fuad Tengku Ahmad Burhanuddin, his mother died in her sleep at her residence.

“Mum’s life is characterised as one of distinction and service,” Fuad said in a statement on Sunday.

Known to her close friends as Irene Pritchard, Ariah captained the Jesselton Athletics Team, was crowned Miss Jesselton 1956, was a radio announcer, journalist, assemblywoman for Kawang, Social Services Minister and Deputy Chief Minister (during the PBS administration), among others.