Kota Kinabalu: Buatin Blandong, the Sabahan elder who captured hearts across Malaysia after climbing Mount Kinabalu at 90 and running the Borneo Marathon at 92, passed away on Friday at the age of 94.
“Our dad passed away yesterday (June 12) at 1.44pm. He died of old age. Dad did not have any illness or was taking any medication, only supplements,” said his daughter, Doris.
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Buatin, born on May 5, 1932, died peacefully without any underlying medical conditions, a testament to the active lifestyle he maintained well into his final years.
He first made national headlines in 2022 when he scaled Mount Kinabalu for the eighth time at the age of 90, a feat that drew widespread admiration and positioned him as a symbol of resilience and healthy aging in Sabah.
Daily Express carried the story, with Buatin proving forthcoming and cooperative in sharing details of his remarkable achievement.
He returned to the spotlight in 2024 when he participated in the Borneo Marathon at 92, marking his second consecutive year at the event.
Daily Express again covered his participation, with Buatin once more generously providing information to the paper, cementing his reputation as a role model for active aging who defied the limitations society often places on the elderly.
A funeral service will be held on June 16 at 11am at Stella Maris Catholic Church.
