Former Johor MB laid to rest in home state
JOHOR BARU: Former Johor mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian (pic) has been laid to rest at the Ar-raudhah Muslim cemetery in Mount Austin here.
The Kempas assemblyman, who would have turned 70 on Saturday, passed away at his son’s home in Damansara, Petaling Jaya, at around 11.45pm on Tuesday.
Osman suffered a stroke at home in Kampung Dato Onn in Larkin here in October and was treated at a private hospital before being transferred to Hospital Serdang.
His body arrived at his home in Kampung Dato Onn near Larkin here at around 2.20pm yesterday.
Among those who paid their last respects were Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, state exco member Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad and Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, Tebrau MP Steven Choong and Permas assemblyman Datuk Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh also attended the funeral.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong expressed his condolences to Osman’s family.
The MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP described Osman’s passing as a big loss for the rakyat and the country, especially Johor.
“His contributions and sacrifices for the people and the development of Johor will be remembered eternally. May his soul be blessed,” Dr Wee said in a Facebook post.
Osman’s political career began in 1975 when he joined Umno and became the party’s Pulai deputy chief in 1993.
He was Kempas assemblyman for three terms between 1999 and 2013 but was dropped from defending the seat in the 13th general election.
Osman joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in 2016 and in 2018, during GE14, he recontested the Kempas seat and won.
He was appointed Johor’s 16th Mentri Besar and held office from May 12, 2018 to April 8, 2019.