Zakaria Deros dies of heart attack!!

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2008/03/11

LATEST: Zakaria Deros dies of heart attack
By : V. Shankar Ganesh

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KLANG:

Former Port Klang State Assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros, 61, died of a heart attack at his “Istana Zakaria” early today.

A doctor who was called in to his palatial home pronounced him dead at 2.30am.

Zakaria last year hogged the headlines for the building of the 2 1/2-storey palatial mansion, which boasts 16 bedrooms and 21 bathrooms, built on 43,000 sq feet of land in Kampung Idaman.

Selangor Barisan Nasional dropped the controversial politician from the line-up for the general election. He was replaced by his daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil as the candidate for the seat, which she lost to Badrul Hisham Abdullah of PKR.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Zakaria's daughter, Liza, said her father suddenly became breathless while talking to family members at about 1am after returning from Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) where he had followed developments of the Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council meetings with his friends.

“My father was his usual self talking to us after returning from PWTC when he suddenly experienced breathing difficulties. He did not complain of any discomfort earlier,” she said.

Liza said a doctor summoned to the house confirmed her father had died. she added that said her father's body would be taken to Melaka for burial at the Kuala Sungai Baru muslim cemetery later today.

Meanwhile, scores of visitors poured into his palatial mansion since 7am today when the news of his demise broke. Among those who dropped in were several former Selangor State Assemblymen, Umno division leaders and members.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were among the VIPs who came to pay their last respects this morning. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Jeanne came about 11am to pay their respects.

Also seen were former Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, former Deputy Information Minister Ahmad Zaid Hamidi, UMNO information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, and MIC Wanita chief Datin Paduka P. Komala Devi.

Right now, there are about 5,000 people at the mansion.

Updated: 11:20am