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Friday, 21 January 2011

Merlimau state rep dies, triggering 15th by-election

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 — Merlimau state assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hasan died tonight, triggering the country’s 15th by-election since the March 2008 general election. He was 54.

The Umno assemblyman had been admitted to Hospital Putra Melaka on January 14 after suffering a heart attack.

“Yes he has passed away. He passed away at 8.10 this evening,” Jasin MP Datuk Wira Ahmad Hamzah told The Malaysian Insider.

Mohamad Hidhir was a member of the Malacca state executive council in charge of rural and agricultural development.

Merlimau is one of five state seats under the Jasin parliamentary constituency, the others being Sungai Rambai, Serkam, Bemban and Rim.

Mohamad Hidhir was placed on a life-support system today after suffering a second heart attack at 6.45am.

With his passing, the Election Commission will now have to call a by-election within the next 60 days.

Mohamad Hidhir won the Merlimau state seat twice, beating PAS candidate Jasme Tompang with a majority of 2,154 votes in the last general election.

In 2004, Mohamad Hidhir won the seat with a majority of 5,087 votes.

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