Former Kelantan deputy menteri besar Ariffin Said died at 3.45am today at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Baru from cancer of the pancreas. He was 76.

His son-in-law, Mohd Zamri Hassan, 53, said Ariffin was admitted to the hospital about two weeks ago after complaining of stomach pain.

He said his father-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas about two weeks after the last Aidilfitri when he was admitted to the hospital for stomach pain.

“Two weeks ago, he complained of stomach pain again and we sent him to the hospital,” he said when met at the family residence in Kampung Wakaf Baru in Tumpat.

Ariffin is survived by wife, Yong Arisa Abdullah, 54, and five children.

The funeral prayer was held after Friday prayer at the Al-Ismaili Mosque in Wakaf Baharu and the burial will be at the Kampung Lata Muslim Cemetery.

Ariffin, who was born in Kampung Dewan Beta, Kota Baru, was Kelantan deputy menteri besar for four years, from May 6, 1982, to Aug 11, 1986.

He was made the deputy menteri besar after winning the Manek Urai state seat on Barisan Nasional’s ticket in the sixth general election.

In 1991, he was made chairperson of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra).

- Bernama