KUCHING: KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin died on Friday (Nov 13) afternoon today. He was 65.
According to a report by Sinar Harian, his death was confirmed by his younger brother, Zafruddin Zainul Abidin.
Zafruddin said he was informed that Zahidi died at about 5pm, although he could not immediately confirm the exact time.
“I’m actually not too sure what time he passed away, but from the information I received from a friend, he died this afternoon.
“I don’t have much information because I have just arrived from China,” he was quoted as saying.
Zafruddin said Zahidi’s health had deteriorated since Wednesday and that he had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Penang.
“As far as I know, his condition had worsened since Wednesday and he was being treated at a private hospital in Penang.
“To my knowledge, my late brother suffered from kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis,” he said.
Zahidi’s remains were understood to have been prayed over after Isyak prayers before being laid to rest at the Bayan Lepas Muslim Cemetery.
Born on Jan 9, 1961, Zahidi served as Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister from March 2020 until November 2022 under the administrations of former prime ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
His tenure in the federal government is also reflected in parliamentary records from that period.
He was also chairman of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) from September 2015 to December 2018.
In Perlis, Zahidi served as a state executive councillor from 1999 to 2006 and was Beseri assemblyman from 1999 to 2008.
He later served two terms as Padang Besar MP from 2013 to 2022. Election records show he retained the seat in the 2018 general election with a 1,438-vote majority.
Zahidi was formerly with UMNO before later joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), and had also served as chairman of the Malaysian Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (IKIAM).
