MAHADZIR LOKMAN: THE PASSING OF TOWERING ICON
Legendary news anchor found dead in his Kota Kinabalu hotel room
EVER the consummate gentleman, television personality Datuk Mahadzir Lokman sent good morning text messages via a WhatsApp group to his friends shortly before he died yesterday.
The legendary news anchor and master of ceremonies, famed for his distinguished voice and gentle demeanour, was found dead in his hotel room here about 9.30am. He was 61.
Mahadzir, affectionately known as Dale to his friends, had arrived here on Tuesday for work, accompanied by the family of a close friend.
Prior to his death, Mahadzir had gone out for dinner with them and returned to his room about 10.40pm yesterday.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Habibi Majinji said Mahadzir sent the texts to his friends at 5am.
“About 9.30am, his friend rang him, but he didn’t answer.
“Out of concern, the friend sought help from the hotel management to open the room door.
“They found Mahadzir unconscious. He was later pronounced dead by a doctor from Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”
Habibi said police’s investigations showed no sign of foul play.
Mahadzir’s remains were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
It is learnt that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal arrived at the hospital morgue at 1.55pm. Mahadzir’s colleagues and friends expressed their sorrow over his death.
Former TV3 presenter Tengku Elida Bustaman paid tribute to Mahadzir on Twitter.
“My dear teacher when I first started in TV3, Datuk Mahadzir Lokman, has just passed away.”
Singer and presenter Adibah Noor shared her memories of Mahadzir.
“Whenever we were in the same show... he never failed to introduce us as ‘your big, strong and friendly emcee and entertainer’. You are my inspiration, Abang Del.
Actress Maya Karin also spoke about Mahadzir.
“AlFatihah Datuk Mahadzir Lokman. He was kind to me when I was 17 and slightly scared of my first theatre main role in Malaysia,” she wrote.
Mahadzir ’s health problems made the news last year when he was admitted to the intensive care unit of the University Malaya Medical Centre due to lung and kidney complications.
Mahadzir’s remains arrived early this morning from Kota Kinabalu and is expected to be buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.