Dewan Rakyat Speaker Zahir dies at age 80

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tun Dr Mohamed Zahir Ismail died at 4.35pm yesterday at the KL Hospital from acute renal failure. 

Zahir, 80, was the country’s longest serving speaker, holding the position for 22 years. 

His son Mohd Raziff told reporters that Zahir’s death came as a shock to the family. 

“My father was admitted on Monday after complaining of backache but his condition got worse on Wednesday when his blood pressure dropped suddenly,” said Mohd Raziff at the hospital. 

Zahir's death was announced in the Dewan Rakyat, which was in session, by Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob at 4.55pm. 

Zahir: Died from acute renal failure

“It is with extreme sadness that I have to announce that I have been informed by the Kuala Lumpur Hospital that Tun Dr Mohamed Zahir Ismail, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, whom we hold dear, passed away at 4.35pm,” said Dr Yusof. 

His body was taken to his official home at 3 Jalan Tunku, here, last night. 

Dr Zahir will be taken to the National Mosque at 9am to 10am today for last respects. 

He will be buried at the Section 21 Muslim cemetary in Shah Alam, Selangor. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz moved a motion in Parliament for an early adjournment as a mark of respect. 

The handful of MPs who attended the evening sitting slowly walked out of the House and expressed sadness over Dr Zahir’s demise. 

The last time Zahir presided over a sitting was last month. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described Zahir’s death as a loss to the nation. 

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