PETALING JAYA: Condolences and tributes are streaming in for the late Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Saad (pic), who passed away at the age of 78.
The former Penang deputy chief minister passed away on Friday evening (Nov 15).
Shortly after news of his demise, tributes and wishes were posted online by various leaders and citizens.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the country has lost a leader who has contributed much to Umno and the country.
"Ibrahim had also contributed significantly to our national sports through his involvement in the Football Association of Malaysia and the Olympic Council of Malaysia," he said in a post on X.
The administrators of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Facebook also sent condolences on his behalf to Ibrahim’s family.
“DSN (Datuk Seri Najib) used to serve alongside Ibrahim, who was once a deputy transport minister and deputy minister in the prime minister’s department.
“May his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous,” read his Facebook post on Friday night (Nov 15).
Parti Cinta Malaysia president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said Ibrahim was his “boss lama” (former boss).
“When he was the Penang deputy chief minister, he appointed me as his special officer.
“He was a capable leader with foresight. I am utterly saddened to receive the news of his death because although I didn’t meet him (regularly), we still kept in touch with each other,” said Huan, a former Batu Kawan MP.
In his post, he apologised for not being able to pay his respects sooner as he will be travelling to China tonight.
However, Huan said he will visit Ibrahim’s grave once he returns to Malaysia.
The National Sports Council of Malaysia, in a post on X, also expressed its condolences as Ibrahim was a former secretary-general of the Football Association of Malaysia.
The late Ibrahim leaves behind a wife, Puan Sri Zainab Abdul Kadeer, 76, and five children.
The final rites are expected to be conducted at At-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 9am on Saturday (Nov 16) before Ibrahim is laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery at 11am, Bernama reported.
Ibrahim’s political career began in 1983 when he served as the political secretary to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was the Culture, Youth, and Sports Minister at the time.
He was the Seberang Jaya assemblyman for two terms from 1986 and became Tasek Gelugor MP in 1995.
Ibrahim served as Penang's deputy chief minister from 1990 to 1995.
From 1995 to 1999, he was the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and was appointed as deputy transport minister in 1999.
Additionally, he served as the Football Association of Malaysia secretary-general from 2005 to 2007 and as the Olympic Council of Malaysia vice president from 2007 to 2009.
He was also the chairman of the UKM's board of directors, as well as a lecturer.
