Shaharuddin’s death third test for PH
KAJANG: The death of Seri Setia assemblyman Professor Dr Shaharuddin Baharuddin will be the third test for the government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) after losing three of its representatives in a short span of time.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said things, however, had to move on, including the plans and directions set by the government to serve the people.
“We will make preparations as this (Shaharuddin’s death) triggers another byelection.
“This is the third (death of representatives) in a short span of time... it is a challenge we need to deal with,” she said after the solat jenazah (prayer for the deceased) at Jamiurrahmah Mosque in Kampung Limau Manis yesterday.
More than 500 people joined the prayer and paid their last respects to Shaharuddin, including Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Deputy Primary Industries Minister Syamsul Iskandar Md Akim, PKR vice-president Tian Chua, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and PKR’s Sungai Kandis by-election candidate Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni.
The prayer was led by Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque’s grand imam, Muhammad Farhan Wijaya.
Aside from Shaharuddin, PH had lost Sungai Kandis assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, 50, on July 2 to lymphatic cancer and Balakong assemblyman Ng Tien Chee on July 20, who was killed in a road accident.
Dr Wan Azizah expressed her condolences to Shaharuddin’s family.
Shaharuddin, 56, died at 6.28pm on Thursday while seeking treatment at Putrajaya Hospital.
Asyraf Wajdi said he had known Shaharuddin for more than 20 years.
“Although we were in different political parties, it did not affect our friendship,” he said.
Shaharuddin’s body was buried at the Taman Raudhatul Jannah Khariah Jamiurrahmah cemetery in Kampung Limau Manis.
Shaharuddin’s eldest son, Mohd Syazwanuddin, said his father had been battling colon and liver cancer for the past few years.
“My father’s love for knowledge and education was apparent as he requested for the education portfolio when he was appointed as state executive council member.”