Former footballer Isa Bakar dies

GEORGE TOWN: Football legend Isa Bakar passed away at the Penang Hospital at about 10.15am Saturday. He was 58.

His cousin Roslan Meah Mohd Meah said Isa was admitted to the hospital on Friday after coughing blood.

“He was okay and was talking to his brother Osman after being admitted. But he died suddenly this morning,” he said.

Isa leaves behind widow Mazlina Ismail, three daughters and a son.

His remains are expected to be taken to his house in Sungai Ara for prayers.

He is expected to be buried at the Perak Road cemetery in the evening.

Isa and his late elder brother Ali represented the country while their brother Omar represented Penang.

Isa, who was a striker, partnered the legendary Mokhtar Dahari when they played for the country together.

Together with goalkeeper R. Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, and midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh, the team was a powerful force in the 1970s.

Isa rose to fame while playing for Malayawata in his teenage years. He later joined the Penang Port Commission and subsequently Northern Telecoms