The health of Kerdau state assemblyperson Zaharuddin Abu Kassim, who is still in the National Heart Institute (IJN), is better and his condition stable.

NONE Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob said Zaharuddin ( left ) can speak and was cheerful and did not need breathing equipment.

He said he was informed of this by a district officer who visited Zaharuddin in IJN yesterday.

Adnan said this to reporters after the launch of the 2010 Teachers' Day Festival organised by Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad in Kuantan today.

Zaharuddin was in critical condition after undergoing intestinal ulcer surgery last week in Termeloh. He was later transferred to IJN.

He said in the absence of Zaharuddin the Kerdau area was being taken care of by Kuala Krau parliamentarian Ismail Mohamed Said, and his religious officer, Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, who is also Kuala Krau Umno deputy division head.

- Bernama