KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim (pic) has been hospitalised after he collapsed while delivering a speech in the Pitas district.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki confirmed that the incident took place in Kampung Mangkapon.

It was learned that Jahid, the PBS deputy president and Tamparuli assemblyman, was officiating at a corporate social responsibility programme in the remote village when he collapsed while delivering his speech at about 12.15pm on Saturday (Aug 27).

Julita said some people at the event spotted him having difficulties and immediately came to his aid.

"They managed to get him before he collapsed and sent him immediately to the Pitas hospital," she said.

"Jahid is a very busy person and overworked and because of that, he was not able to get much rest. Let’s pray for him," she said.

She also said could not say what happened to him as she had not received any information from medical authorities.

Meanwhile, Jahid’s press secretary Joanes Robert Johnny said doctors said that the 64-year-old Jahid was in stable condition.

He added Jahid was now being sent for further treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in the state capital, located about 170km from Pitas.

"For those who received the news through WhatsApp, we thank you for your prayers and concern for him," he said, in a text message.

"We also hope everyone will remain patient and wait for the results from the medical authorities. At the same time, we also call on the people not to speculate or share any posts over the matter on social media," Joanes added.