Merlimau rep buried, CM ticks off EC chief

Merlimau assemblyperson Mohd Hidhir Abu Hassan was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Chinchin, Jasin after Friday prayers today.

Among those present to pay their last respects were former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Hidhir was a close personal friend of Abdullah for a long time and became a state assemblyperson during his (Abdullah’s) stewardship as premier.

“The body was taken to the Chinchin mosque for prayers, followed by the burial at 2.50pm,” state assembly speaker Othman Muhammad said.

"After the burial, the Speaker's Office will officially inform the Election Commission of Hidhir's death."

Hidhir, 54 (left in photo), a two-term assemblyperson and state exco member for agriculture and rural development, died at the state-owned Putra Hospital at 8.10pm last night, after a heart attack.

He is survived by a wife and four children.

Hidhir's death automatically triggered a by-election which has to be held in 60 days.

This will be the 15th by-election in the country after the March 8, 2008 general election.

It will however be the first by-election in Malacca. The Merlimau by-election will not change the power equation in the state as BN holds 18 seats (Umno, 18, MCA, four and MIC, one) while the Pakatan Rakyat opposition has five seats, all DAP.

EC apologises for its bungle

Meanwhile, Othman said EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof has called Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam last night and got an earful from Mohd Ali for his error in prematurely announcing Hidhir's death.

"EC bungled up, for there has been no official statement from me or the chief minister."

"Abdul Aziz (right) explained to us that the mistake was made by one of its officers in Malacca, and he apologised for it," he said.

Abdul Aziz had once served under Mohd Ali as state secretary.

The mistake resulted in Utusan Malaysia flashing news of Mohd Hidhir's death and also announcing that the EC would meet in 10 days to decide on the by-election.

By convention, it is the speaker who informs the EC of any vacancy in the state assembly, after which the commission will announce dates for nomination and by-election.

State opposition leader Goh Leong San announced that PAS is likely to contest the seat, as it has traditionally done so.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today extended his condolences to family members of Merlimau assemblyperson on his death last night.

"He was a humble leader who always willing to offer assistance not only to the residents in his constituency, but also to the people of Melaka," he said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin also described Mohamad Hidhir's death as a loss not only to the family but also to the people of Merlimau.