The late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family members of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub who passed away at the Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah on Sunday (Jan 23).
Dr Ahmad Zahid described Salahuddin as a Cabinet colleague who was deeply respected, humble and always committed in carrying out all of his duties.
"With deep sorrow, I receive the news of the passing of Salahuddin, who passed away at 9:23pm at Sultanah Bahiyyah Hospital, Alor Setar, Kedah.
"Until his last moments, he was concerned and continued to fight for the well-being of the people," he said in a statement on Sunday night.
"The nation has lost a great leader. Let us all pray that Allah will bestow His mercy upon him and grant patience to his entire family for this loss," added Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said that the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub advised him to look after his health only last week.
He said that he has known the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin for decades and have always been close friends.
"I am at a loss as we were very close. Salahuddin was a very soft-spoken man and he was always committed to his responsibilities.
"Even last week, he told me to take care of my health as he said his blood pressure was a bit on the high side.
"We were supposed to move the election campaign for the states together this week, but alas, he is gone too soon. I will miss him dearly.
"My deepest condolences to the family," said Saifuddin.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil also prayed that Salahudin to Allah that he be placed among the most faithful.
"In politics, I will always remember the beautiful, painful, happy and difficult moments, especially in the Pakatan Harapan Leadership Council.
"You will be missed, dear friend," he said, adding that may all efforts, services and devotion of the deceased be rewarded," he said.
Nurul Izzah Anwar, in her condolences post said Salahuddin was a person who had a good heart, had high empathy, and always strove to fulfil his mission for the sake of the people.
She hoped that the deceased family could be strong enough to face the big loss.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin also paid tribute to the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, whom he described as a leader who was mature, progressive and pragmatic.
"Our political ideology may be different but he is a person whom I respect.
"It is with great sadness that I express my deepest condolences to the family of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddn Ayub, whom I regard as a friend.
"To the late Salahuddin’s family, I understand that losing someone you love is not easy, but be patient with this test by Allah," said Hamzah in a Facebook post.
The death of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister was confirmed in a Facebook post by his daughter Fatihah Salahuddin on Sunday.
In a statement, Salahuddin's press secretary Syakirin Husnal said the minister's remains would be taken to his mother's house in Kampung Serkat (Kopi Tenggek) in Tanjung Piai, Johor.
