Kerdau assemblyperson Zaharuddin Abu Kassim, who was earlier today said to have been recovering at the National Heart Institute (IJN), has fallen into a coma and is in critical condition.

Kuala Krau MP Ismail Mohamed Said was quoted by Malay-language dailies as saying that a member of Zaharuddin’s family told him they had been asked go to IJN.

NONE Zaharuddin ( left ) had lost consciousness and had gone into a coma, said Ismail.

Doctors had also told the family that Zaharuddin’s heart and lungs weakened, Ismail added.

Earlier today, following complications after an operation, Zaharuddin was said to be recovering after being moved from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a normal ward on Wednesday.

Zaharuddin was moved to the normal ward on Wednesday and was taken off the life support system.

Zaharuddin was transferred to the IJN on May 9 after experiencing complications with his kidney and heart following an operation on an ulcer in the intestine at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (Hoshas) in Temerloh, Pahang.

He was admitted to Hoshas on April 3 after complaining of stomach-ache.

The 63-year-old Kerdau assemblyperson won the seat for Umno in the 2008 general election as a first-timer by securing 4,135 votes, beating PAS candidate Hassanudin Salim by a majority of 1,615 .

The constituency comprises 89 percent Malay, 6 percent Chinese, 3.7 percent Indian and 2.5 percent others.

Zaharudin's critical condition sparked rumours early last month about an impending by-election at the constituency.