Former Perlis MB Abdul Hamid Pawanteh passes away

KANGAR: Former Perlis mentri besar Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh passed away here on Thursday (Dec 1).

Abdul Hamid, 78, breathed his last at about 3.15pm at his house in Arau, said his daughter Natasya Pawanteh in a Facebook post.

"With sadness, it is informed that our father, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh passed away on Dec 1 at about 3.15pm.

"His remains will be laid to rest on Dec 2 after Friday prayers at the state mosque in Arau," said Natasya.

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 MP for Kangar and Arau.

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.