Deputy minister Md Farid dies of heart attack

(FMT) – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Md Farid Md Rafik died this morning from a heart attack.

A post on his Facebook page confirmed that the Tanjung Piai MP died at Hospital Pontian, Johor.

The post stated that Farid died possibly of a heart attack.

Information circulating in WhatsApp groups said he died at 6am this morning.

Farid was vice-chief of the PPBM Tanjung Piai division.

Bernama reported that his remains will be taken to his mother’s house in Serkat, Pontian, and he will be laid to rest before Zohor prayers on Saturday.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Johor Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal will both pay their respects on Saturday.

Other politicians and Twitter users have also expressed their condolences.

They included Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad and PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong said Farid was a young and talented leader.

In the last general election, Farid won the Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat by defeating MCA’s Wee Jeck Seng and PAS’ Nordin Othman with a majority of 524 votes.