KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): Former Penang deputy chief minister Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Saad passed away at 6.30pm on Friday at Damansara Specialist Hospital due to respiratory complications. He was 78.

His son, Datuk Zairil Ayu Ibrahim, 49, confirmed the news when contacted.

He said his father suffered a heart attack and had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past two weeks.

"He seemed to be recovering after being discharged. But yesterday [Thursday], while at home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, he complained of breathing difficulty before being rushed to the hospital. Efforts were made to save him, but it was too late," he added. 

The late Ibrahim leaves behind a wife, Puan Sri Zainab Abdul Kadeer, 76, and five children.

The final rites are expected to be conducted at At-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 9am on Saturday before he will be laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery at 11am.

Ibrahim’s political career began in 1983 when he served as the political secretary to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was the culture, youth, and sports minister.

He was the Seberang Jaya assemblyman for two terms from 1986 and became Tasek Gelugor Member of Parliament in 1995.

Ibrahim served as Penang's deputy chief minister from 1990 to 1995. From 1995 to 1999, he was the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and was appointed as deputy transport minister in 1999.

He also served as the Football Association of Malaysia secretary-general from 2005 to 2007 and as the Olympic Council of Malaysia vice president from 2007 to 2009.

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