IPOH: Ayer Kuning assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, 59, has passed away on Saturday (Feb 23).
George Town police OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rozak Muhammad said Ishsam lost unconscious at about 5.20pm aftreer participating in a football match at the City Stadium in Penang.
ACP Abdul Rozak said the deceased was shaking hands with other players at the sidelines during the Four-Cornered Chief Minister's Cup Football Championship when he collapsed.
He said the first-term assemblyman was rushed to Penang Hospital but was pronounced dead at 6.28pm.
Tapah MP Datuk Seri M. Saravanan expressed sadness over Ishsam's death, saying it came as a shock to him.
"I am currently in Tapah and I am really saddened to hear such shocking news of Ishsam.
"I extend my deepest condolences to his family and hope they will stay strong," said Saravanan.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said he had received the sad news of his friend's death.
"May God forgive his sins, have mercy on him and accept all the good deeds he performed in this world.
"Let us all pray that his soul is showered with blessings and placed among the righteous," he said.
Before getting into politics, Ishsam was a professional football player, spending most of his career with Perak FA.
Upon retirement, he started a business and later became active in politics.
The Tapah Umno chief won the Ayer Kuning state seat with a majority of 2,213 votes during the 15th General Election.
