The Dewan Rakyat today observed two minutes of silence to mourn the death of former Opposition Leader Fadzil Noor who died at the intensive care unit of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

House Speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail said the news of his death was "unexpected" as he (Zahir) had visited Fadzil last Monday and was told that the latter could "open his eyes when his name was called".

"He was persistent, hard-working and successful in carrying out his duties as an Opposition Leader. His dedication was indeed very effective," said Zahir.

"I knew him in Kedah and he had always been very humble but firm, and very patient with others. He expressed his views calmly and never raised his voice in any debate. He has never shown his anger or acted in an aggressive manner towards others," he added.

Zahir said Fadzil's death is "a loss to Parliament" and to his widow, Khatijah Ibrahim, and their eight children who turned to him for guidance and advice.

Fadzil, who was also PAS president, was admitted to the cardiology unit of the Kuala Terengganu Hospital on May 15 after complaining of chest pains but was discharged five days later.

He was also reported to be suffering from diabetes and hypoglycaemia (low sugar level) for the past 17 years.

Fadzil was laid to rest in his hometown, Pokok Sena, Kedah, after Asar prayers at 9.15pm yesterday.

Mahathir's shocking announcement

When stating his query during this morning's question and answer session, Jamaluddin Jarjis (BN-Rompin) echoed Zahir's views on Fadzil and said "we have lost a friend in Parliament".

Jamaluddin said there were too many unexpected news last weekend, like Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "shocking" announcement of his resignation as Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairperson.

He then went on to praise Mahathir as a "very much needed leader".

"We are grateful that he has withdrawn his resignation. We, in Umno, and the Malaysian people would like to see him continue to lead us.

"We must also thank Deputy Prime Minister [Abdullah Ahmad Badawi] for handling the matter yesterday," he added.

Mahathir dropped the bombshell yesterday in a packed Dewan Merdeka at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, on the last day of the party's annual general assembly.

Seconds after he made the announcement, Mahathir, who was sobbing by then, was swarmed by concerned Umno supreme council leaders.

After a 30-minute near chaotic situation, with delegates on the floor shouting slogans urging Mahathir to continue his leadership, Abdullah announced that Mahathir had retracted his resignation.

New Opposition Leader

Meanwhile, PAS youth leader Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), when met at the Parliament lobby, said the party's central working committee will convene in Kuala Lumpur tonight to endorse Terengganu Menteri Besar and party deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang as acting president of the Muslim party.

"This move is according to the party constitution. We will only decide who the president is after the party's elections [next year]," he said.

Mahfuz said the party will also nominate a candidate for the new Opposition Leader at tonight's meeting.

"We will then present the proposal to the other opposition parties for endorsement. As we are the majority, we will offer the name of a new candidate," he added.

Though he did not name the candidate, malaysiakini learnt that it could be Hadi or vice-president Mustafa Ali.

Mahfuz also said the party will defend the Pendang parliamentary seat and Anak Bukit state assembly seat in the by-election to be held following Fadzil's death.

Kedah state assembly speaker Badruddin Amiruddin said he will inform the State Legislative Assembly of the vacancy in Anak Bukit while Zahir will inform Parliament of the vacancy in Pendang in a day or two.

In the 1999 general election, Fadzil beat former parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister's Department, Othman Abdul, in Pendang. He polled 22,413 votes against Othman's 19,474.

In Anak Bukit, he secured 8,480 votes, beating BN's Abdullah Hasnan Kamaruddin who received 6,640.