Tungku rep laid to rest
LAHAD DATU: Tungku assemblyman Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said who died on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, was buried at the cemetery in Kampung Remang here yesterday.
Suhaili, who was admitted to the Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur on March 21 for treatment, passed away at 3.10pm due to liver cancer. He was 56.
He leaves a wife, Datin Dayang Sofia Datu Jamiudin, four sons, Mohd Ibrahim, 35, Mohd Bukhari, 32, Mohd Shafiee, 30, Mohd Sofi, 29 and two daughters, Aesyah, 34 and Suhailah, 27.
Tungku Community Development Officer Sabturani Rusulan said Suhaili’s eldest son and his wife were at his bedside when he breathed his last.
He said that during their last meeting, Suhaili told his people to continue to work for the party. Suhaili told them that they should work and support any individual selected by the Barisan Nasional to contest in Tungku in the next general election.
Suhaili’s remains were brought to the family home in Kampung Remang after arriving at Tawau Airport at about 10.50am from Kuala Lumpur.
Among those who paid their last respects were Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister and Silam member of parliament Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur, Kunak assemblyman Datuk Nilwan Kabang, Silam Wanita Umno leader Mizma Appehdullah, Silam Puteri Umno leader Zuraidah Asdain, Silam Umno Youth leader Abdul Halim Ghulam Hassan and former Silam member of parliament Datuk Samsu Baharun Abd Rahman.
Suhaili was the chairman of Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), chairman of Sabah Felda Board and Silam Umno deputy division head.
Nasrun described Suhaili’s death as a huge loss to the party, Tungku as well as Silam parliamentary.
He said Suhaili was a good leader who had wide experience not only in politics but also religious knowledge.
Meanwhile, Silam Umno division head Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal said he had lost a comrade who always gave his best to help the party.
Yusof said Suhaili worked very hard to develop his area for the well-being of the people in Tungku.
“He was the first religious leader who was appointed as assemblyman and pioneered the role of religious leaders in the state leadership.
“We are deeply sad for the departure of a people-oriented leader and I hope his family will have courage to bear his loss,” he said.
Umno Silam Education Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Basri Abdul Gafar said the passing of Suhaili was a great loss to the people in Lahad Datu, especially in Tungku.
“On behalf of my family, committee members, comrades in Umno and BN, I wish to extend our condolences to the family of Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said,” he said.
Mohd Basri said Suhaili had devoted his life to look after the welfare and interest of his people.
“I was saddened by the death of Datuk Suhaili who has been active and committed in carrying out his task as an elected state representative of Tungku,” said Mohd Basri who also paid his last respects to Suhaili yesterday.
Yusof who is currently in Makkah for Umrah also conveyed his condolences on behalf of his family and Silam Umno towards Suhaili’s family.