Former MB Othman Saat in critical condition

JOHOR BARU: Former Johor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Othman Saat has been hospitalised and is in critical condition with a lung infection and a gangrenous leg. 

The 84-year-old politician, who stepped down in 1983 after helming the state government for 18 years, was admitted to the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Pandan on Monday. 

His eldest son, Zolkefli Othman, 61, said his father’s condition was “very bad” and that he also had a blocked artery in his right thigh. 

“His lung is about to collapse as well because of the infection,” he said.  

According to Zolkefli, the doctors have decided to delay an operation to amputate Othman's gangrenous leg because of his advanced age and health complications. 

“The problems started when he developed bedsores and the infection spread,” he said, adding that his father could only blink and hear now. 

Othman's daughter-in-law, Jeniffa Hanum, 57, said: “I'm seeing a man who once poured his wealth into Umno campaigns ... now he breathes shallow, is wordless and sightless. 

“But Allah works in mysterious ways and we can only doa (pray).”  

Othman’s wife Puan Sri Kamariah Bujang, said her husband was in bad shape and had been on the decline particularly in the last two months. 

“Until then, he was able to joke with us,” she said, adding that her husband’s health began to decline some seven years ago.  

Othman was one of Johor’s most influential and colourful politicians. 

His career in politics included a brief stint in the now-defunct Parti Semangat 46.