‘Suhaili a committed leader’

LAHAD DATU: The late Tungku assemblyman Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said was laid to rest at the Kampung Remang Muslim Cemetery in Tungku near here yesterday.

A casket carrying the body of Suhaili was flown from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau in the morning before being transported to Tungku.

He died of liver cancer on Friday afternoon. He was 56.

Hundreds of villagers gathered at the nearby surau as early as 9am to pay their last respects to Suhaili and extended their condolences to his family.

Suhaili, who was Umno Silam deputy chief and Sabah Religious Council chairman, died at Gleaneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

He leaves behind his wife, Datin Dayang Sofia Datu Jamiuddin, and six children. His wife and three of his children were at his bedside at the time of his death.

Silam member of parliament Datuk Nasrun Mansur said Suhaili’s passing was a great loss to Umno and the people of Tungku.

“Throughout his service, arwah (Suhaili) had carried out his responsibility as an elected representative. He was a committed leader and had contributed a lot to bring improvement to the rakyat.”

Suhaili’s political career began in 1999. He served the Tungku constituency for three terms from 2004.

A by-election is unlikely following Suhaili’s death.

However, Sabah assembly speaker Datuk Johnny Mositun said the decision would be made by the Election Commission (EC).

“Normally, if (a seat becomes vacant) less than two years before the term ends, no by-election is called.

“But it (is up to the) EC to decide. The Sabah assembly will officially inform the EC next week about the vacancy of the Tungku seat,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday expressed his condolences over the passing of Suhaili.

On his Twitter handle @NajibRazak, Najib said: “My condolences to the family of Tungku assemblyman the late Datuk Suhaili Said. May his soul be blessed. Al-Fatihah.”