[UPDATED] Former Perlis MB Hamid Pawanteh dies aged 78

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Perlis menteri besar Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh died aged 78 around 3.15pm today at his residence in Arau, Perlis.

His death was confirmed by his daughter Natasya via her Facebook page. However, she did not disclose the cause of death.

She said he will be buried tomorrow at the state mosque in Arau.

Hamid was the fourth Perlis menteri besar, leading the state from 1986 to 1995, and was Dewan Negara president between 2003 and 2009.

He also served as Arau MP from 1982 to 1986, and Kangar MP between 1999 and 2003. 

He last spoke to The Vibes in November, weighing in on former Umno warlord Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and PAS influence in the northern state.

He had said Umno and Perlis needed a revival by selecting young and talented leaders, who must be given a chance to redeem the party’s image, which has been besmirched in the last three decades.

Hamid was born in Penang and studied at Penang Free School before pursuing medicine at Dow Medical College in Pakistan.

Upon his return, he was posted to Perlis where he was known as a doctor who would conduct home visits even in the early morning.

Before long, Umno came to him offering a leadership role, and he was appointed a Supreme Council member.

When he served as menteri besar, every Thursday was regarded as an open day where residents could meet him to air their grouses.

Hamid was also credited for the state’s sole highway. Already, there are calls for the 47.64-km highway, from Changlun in Kedah to Kuala Perlis, to be named after him.

PKR’s Indera Kayangan assemblyman Gan Ay Ling, who is the sole opposition representative in the state assembly, hopes that Hamid’s legacy as a skilled technocrat will be remembered by the younger generation.

“Each generation is different but poverty and injustice are still issues we face. It is up to the younger generation now to continue Hamid’s legacy.” – The Vibes, December 1, 2022