KOTA BELUD (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A large number of friends and relatives of dead guide Robbi Sapinggi flooded his Kampung Kiau Nuluh, Kota Belud home here to pay their last respects to the man they now call a "hero".

Mr Sapinggi reportedly lost his life rescuing a tourist under his guidance at Mount Kinabalu during the devastating earthquake on Friday.

A close relative, who was part of the search and rescue team that found him at about 4pm the same day, some nine hours after the earthquake occurred, said his body was found about 20m from where they believed he was struck by hurtling rocks.

He died near Laban Rata.

Hundreds attended his funeral on Sunday including politicians from all around the state.

Also describing Mr Sapinggi as a hero, Sabah Speaker Salleh Said Keruak said the government appreciated what he had done for the tourist under his guidance.

"We will help Robbi's family any way we can," he told The Star.

A funeral procession took place after prayers at around 2.30pm to bring Mr Sapinggi's casket to his final resting place.