Ex-Penang Umno chief loses battle to cancer
NIBONG TEBAL: The cancer manifested itself when Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman began experiencing bone pains and fever.
It was in March when the former Umno state chief, whom locals called Tok Non, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell.
His wife, Datin Seri Siti Nur Syafiqa Amirol Melvin, 28, said everyone in the family was down when they learnt he had cancer.
“But the doctor was optimistic that it was treatable, so my husband began to fight it,” she said.
She said he went for his treatment diligently and resigned from his political post before the general election to focus on battling his cancer and spend time with his children.
Zainal breathed his last at 2.07am yesterday. He was 58.
Siti Nur Syafiqa said her husband checked into the hospital about a week ago for his scheduled treatment but developed complications and was warded in the intensive care unit of Ampang Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
“He led a normal life to the very end. He campaigned hard during the general elections and didn’t let his illness hinder him,” Siti Nur Syafiqa said in between sobs.
She described Zainal as a family man who tried to spend every night at home.
Zainal’s remains were buried at the Sungai Acheh Muslim cemetery
at about 5pm after asar prayers yesterday.
Many state leaders paid their last respects to him at the funeral held in his father’s house in Kampung Sungai Setar near Sungai Acheh.
The Yang di-Pertua Negri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, was also present to convey his condolences to the family.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also extended their condolences.
“We had political differences, but
we shared the same struggle, which is a brighter future for Malaysia,” Chow said.
Former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was also in attendance.
On Facebook, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Zainal was a friend who always stood by him.
“He was an Umno leader who was loyal to the party his whole life, and a person who was liked by friends and foes alike,” he said.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also express-
ed his condolences.
Zainal was Umno Supreme Council member from 2009 to 2011 and was Nibong Tebal MP from 2004 to 2008.
He was previously Deputy Rural Development Minister and parliamentary secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He is survived by Siti Nur Syafiqa and six children.