PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s elder brother Idrus Ibrahim died in his sleep at his home in Cheruk Tokkun on Thursday, aged 83.
His daughter, Aida Rafizah, said the family had not expected his death as Idrus showed no signs of illness earlier in the day.
“We really did not expect it at all (that he would die). He also did not show any signs of illness at noon today, but he only ate a little kiwi fruit and a piece of kuih tepung bungkus, after which he told me he wanted to rest.
“So, he lay down before sleeping and he may have intended to get up to perform Asar prayers, judging from the fact that he had already put on the sarong he used for prayers. I woke my father, but by then he was already unresponsive, at about 5.30pm,” she said.
Aida said medical personnel confirmed that Idrus had died of old age.
She said the family was shocked by his sudden death but accepted it as Allah’s will.
“My brother who lives in Kuala Lumpur and my two younger siblings in Johor are on their way back here,” she said.
Anwar, who was away in China, expressed regret that he could not be by his brother’s side and asked the public to pray for Idrus and recite the al-Fatihah for him.
Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, also paid tribute to her uncle.
“May all the kindness, sacrifices, contributions and love that Uncle Ros gave to my father, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and our family’s struggle be rewarded as continuous charity in the sight of Allah SWT,” she said.
Idrus was the second of eight siblings and leaves behind his wife, four children and 10 grandchildren.
The funeral prayer will be held at the Cheruk To’ Kun Bawah Mosque prayer hall, followed by burial at the Cheruk To’ Kun Bawah Muslim Cemetery after Friday prayers. - September 25, 2026
