Former Perlis MB Abdul Hamid passes away

KANGAR: Former Perlis mentri besar Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh (pic) has passed away.

The 78-year-old breathed his last at about 3.15pm at his house in Arau yesterday, said his daughter Natasya Pawanteh in a Facebook post.

“With sadness, it is informed that our father has passed away. His remains will be laid to rest on Dec 2 after Friday prayers at the state mosque in Arau,” she said.

Abdul Hamid, a medical doctor by profession, served as the sixth mentri besar for the northern state from 1986 to 1995 before passing the baton to his then-arau Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He was also the former Dewan Negara president from 2006 until 2009 and former Kangar and Arau MP.

The Penang-born doctor did his secondary education in Penang Free School before continuing his studies in medicine in Pakistan.

The Umno supreme council member also held the deputy speaker position in the Dewan Rakyat from 1984 to 1986. He leaves behind his wife, five children and several grandchildren.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong extended his condolences to the family, saying Dr Abdul Hamid’s contributions would be cherished.