[UPDATED] Salleh Abas dies at 91

KUALA TERENGGANU – Former lord president of the Federal Court Tun Mohamed Salleh Abas died at 3.20am today.

His daughter, Natlrah, told Bernama that her father, 91, died of pneumonia at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here.

“His remains will be buried at the Sheikh Ibrahim Muslim cemetery in Jalan Pusara, Kuala Terengganu.”

Terengganu health director Dr Nor Azimi Yunus confirmed Salleh’s death.

“He died in the intensive care unit of HSNZ.”

It was reported two days ago that Salleh, who was also as-Salihin Trustee Bhd chairman, had tested positive for Covid-19, and was being treated at HSNZ.

Salleh was buried at 10.40am today.

The burial process was handled by some 10 state Health Department personnel in full protective gear.

Family members and reporters were not allowed at the burial ground.

Son-in-law Wan Pauzi Yahya, speaking to reporters after the burial, said Salleh was admitted to hospital on Thursday following his coronavirus diagnosis.

“After he was taken to hospital, his children and other family members could still talk to him, as he was not yet admitted to the ICU.

“We were told that he had breathing difficulties, a declining blood pressure, and other problems. Furthermore, he was born with only one kidney.”

He said Salleh was put on a ventilator last night.

Salleh was buried next to his first wife, Toh Puan Azimah Mohd Ali, who died in 2016, said Wan Pauzi.

Salleh leaves behind wife Toh Puan Junaidah Wan Jusoh, five children and 26 grandchildren.

He was appointed lord president (now known as chief justice) in 1984, a post he held until his expulsion during the 1988 constitutional crisis.

He was also one of those who drafted the Rukun Negara in 1970.

In the 1999 general election, Salleh won the Jertih state seat in Terengganu on a PAS ticket. He did not contest in the next elections due to health issues. – Bernama, January 16, 2021