Zakaria Kasa dies, days after acquittal on corruption charge

 

Zakaria Kasa, who died today at the age of 67, was vice-chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris from 2007 to 2018. (Zakaria Kasa Facebook pic)

IPOH: Former Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris vice-chancellor Zakaria Kasa, 67, died today of heart disease, three days after being acquitted of a charge of abuse of power.

Zakaria’s son Fauzi, 34, said his father breathed his last while surrounded by family members at the Slim River Hospital at about 12.30pm today.

“My father had been battling heart disease for several years. After the court case on Thursday, he returned to Tanjung Malim, but on Friday, he fell unconscious and was admitted to the hospital,” he said.

Zakaria’s remains were taken to UPSI’s Al-Mursyidin Mosque for final funeral rites and then to his hometown in Kodiang Lama, Kedah, for burial tonight.

The late professor, who served at the university from 2007 to 2018, is survived by his wife and six children.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Zakaria of abusing his power by including his son’s name in a list of job interviewees at the university 10 years ago. - FMT