Updated 7.25pm on 4 Sept 2009
SEREMBAN, 4 Sept 2009: Bagan Pinang assemblyperson, Azman Mohammad Noor, of Barisan Nasional (BN) died this afternoon at the Seremban Specialist Centre. He was 54.
The death of the BN incumbent means that Malaysia will likely see a ninth by-election since the March 2008 general election.
Azman’s son, Hairol Asfani, 22, said his father died of blood infection.
Azman leaves behind wife Normah Zainal Abidin, 49, and four other children, Mohd Khusairi, 23, Norsyazila, 19, Norsyafikah, 16, and Norsyafitra, 13.
When met at the hospital, Hairol Asfani said his father was admitted to the hospital at 3.30am due to fever.
“He complained of fever but was able to walk unassisted. After the breaking of fast yesterday, his condition worsened and he was unable to walk,” he said, adding that all family members were at his bedside when Azman breathed his last at about 2.30pm.
Hairol Asfani said his father also underwent coronary bypass surgery in May.
Also present at the hospital were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and former Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.
Azman’s remains will be buried at the Kariah Muslim cemetery in Bagan Pinang tonight.
Azman, who was Telok Kemang Umno vice-chief, won the seat in the last general election with a majority of 2,333 votes, beating PAS candidate Ramli Ismail.
He polled 6,430 votes against Ramli’s 4,097.
Bagan Pinang is one of five state seats under the Telok Kemang parliamentary constituency. The others are Chuah, Lukut, Linggi and Port Dickson.
His death has precipitated a by-election for the area which must be held within 60 days.
State legislative assembly speaker Datuk Abdul Razak Mansor said he would send a notice informing the Election Commission of the vacancy for the Bagan Pinang seat.
BN controls 21 of 36 state seats in Negeri Sembilan. The rest of the seats are held by DAP (10), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (4) and PAS (one). — Bernama
