Former Kedah deputy speaker found dead in river

 

Former Kedah deputy state assembly speaker Jamil Idross was found dead after he was believed to have fallen into Sungai Teluk Bagan along Jalan Tandop this morning.

Kota Setar police chief Syed Basri Syed Ali said the body of the 78-year-old was discovered by personnel from the Alor Setar Fire and Rescue Department at about 8.10am.

He said the victim was found about 50m from the location where he was believed to have fallen, based on the discovery of a pair of slippers belonging to him near the riverbank.

According to Syed Basri, family members last saw Jamil at about 11.30pm yesterday, and at about 5am today, they realised he was not at home before finding his slippers near the riverbank and suspecting the elderly man had fallen into the river.

A police report was subsequently lodged at the Kota Setar district police headquarters at 7.18am, prompting the deployment of a search and rescue team to the scene.

“Initial investigations found that the victim had been discharged from hospital about a month ago and had a history of chronic illnesses, including diabetes and high blood pressure. He had also received treatment for a lung infection,” Syed Basri said in a statement today.

He added that the victim lived with his wife and two daughters, aged 29 and 27, and that family members informed police he had no history of depression or psychiatric issues.

Investigations also revealed that Jamil routinely moved his vehicle from inside his house to an area outside the residence, which is located near the river.

“A white Perodua Kancil is believed to have been moved by the victim before the incident and was found near the location,” he said.

The body was taken to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a post-mortem examination, while police continue investigations to determine the cause of the incident.

Jamil had served as the Pengkalan Kundor assemblyperson, representing Umno from 1995 to 1999 and again from 2004 to 2008. He was appointed deputy speaker of the 14th Kedah state assembly and held the position from 2018 until 2023.

- Bernama