PH leaders share condolences over death of Semenyih rep

Bakhtiar Mohd Nor’s widow, Basirah Sardiq Muhammad (right), is comforted by a family member. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders have expressed their condolences to the family of Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, the assemblyman for Semenyih who died early this morning.

In a Twitter post, Mahathir who is PPBM chairman said he hoped Bakhtiar’s family would find strength in their time of grief.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail tweeted her condolences to Bakhtiar’s family as well, expressing hope that his soul would be blessed.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, meanwhile, conveyed his condolences on his Facebook page.

Bakhtiar, who was a PPBM representative, died of a heart attack at 4.45am this morning. He was 57.

He will be buried at the Kampung Pasir Muslim Cemetery in Semenyih after Friday prayers.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim tweeted his condolences on behalf of himself and the party, urging Bakhtiar’s family to be strong.

PKR deputy president and Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali also conveyed his condolences via Twitter, expressing hope that the family would be strong during their time of bereavement.

He recalled that Bakhtiar had attended last week’s launch of the Selangorku housing project in Semenyih.

Amanah president and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu tweeted his condolences to the family and relatives of Bakhtiar and expressed hope that his soul would rest in peace.

In Shah Alam, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said Bakhtiar had championed the plight of his constituents and had often spent time discussing initiatives with him and the state executive council for their greater wellbeing.

He said at the state level, Bakhtiar had been a member of the select committee on local government.

As the PPBM Hulu Langat division chief, he said, Bakhtiar had played an active role in Selangor Pakatan Harapan.

Selangor state legislative assembly speaker Ng Suee Lim said Bakhtiar had been a friendly person who often interacted with the people to learn of their needs.

Ng, who is from DAP, said he had met Bakhtiar during the retreat for Selangor assemblymen in Langkawi last October.

Bakhtiar’s death will result in the fourth by-election in Selangor since the 14th general election (GE14) last May. The state has so far seen by-elections for the Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia and Balakong seats.

In GE14, Bakhtiar garnered 23,428 votes to win the Semenyih seat in a four-cornered contest, beating candidates from Barisan Nasional, PAS and Parti Sosialis Malaysia. He won with a majority of 8,964 votes. - FMT