Merlimau state assemblyperson Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan passed away at 8.10pm today after suffering a heart attack on Thursday.

NONE This was confirmed by Jasin MP Ahmad Hamzah, who was among several BN leaders who were holding vigil at Putra Hospital, Malacca since this afternoon. 

Mohamad Hidhir, 54, was placed on life support system after the heart attack at the hospital's intensive care unit. 

He was reported to have been warded at the hospital on Jan 13 for another heart attack.

Mohamad Hidhir is the state cabinet member in charge of rural and agricultural development. 

Merlimau is one of five state seats under the Jasin constituency - the other four are Sungai Rambai, Serkam, Bemban and Rim.

Mohamad Hidhir's passing sets the stage for the 15th by-election - and the first in Malacca - since the 2008 general elections. Under the election laws, the Election Commission will have to call a by-election within 60 days.

Earlier reports erroneous

There has been some uncertainty over Mohamad Hidhir's condition throughout today as rumours spread.

Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had this afternoon denied news reports that Mohamad Hidhir had passed away.

"I visited him just now together with other state executive councillors, he is in coma and breathing with the aid of a ventilator," said Mohd Ali, who has been at the hospital since 4pm.

He denied a news flash by Utusan Malaysia which quoted Election Commission chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof stating that Mohamad Hidhir had passed away. 

Mohamad Hidhir was reported to have initially gone to hospital complaining of stomach discomfort after returning from a trip to Taiwan on Jan 10 but tests run on him found he was having blocked arteries.

"He suffered a heart attack on Saturday at around 2pm, a second one at around noon on Monday and a third at 6.45am today," said the hospital's chief executive officer Radhuana Salleh.

'Good seat' for Pakatan

Malacca opposition leader Goh Leong San expressed his condolences to Mohamad Hidhir’s family when contacted for comments on the by-election.

He expects PAS to again contest for the state seat and considers Merlimau a potential seat for Pakatan Rakyat.

“Mohamad Hidhir has been very active in the area but PAS has been continously engaging the constituents over the past few years.

“We too in DAP have been supporting PAS in their ceramah in the vicinity and have held dinner functions there. The next dinner function is on Jan 22,” said Goh, who leads DAP in Malacca.

azlan He said that the by-election would provide a good opportunity for the locals to express their dissatisfaction over Mohd Ali’s administration.

“People are not feeling so good about the Ali Rustam’s performance, even though Malacca has self-declared itself as a developed state.

“There are several issues like the Eye of Malacca and monorail problems, as well as flooding problems in Jasin,” he said. 

Merlimau is a Malay-majority seat with the community comprising 64.7 percent of the 10,500 voters, while 21 percent are Chinese and 14 percent Indians.

In the 2008 general elections, Mohamad Hidhir beat PAS candidate Jasme Tompang with a majority of 2,154. In 2004, Mohamad Hidhir won the seat with a much higher majority of 5,087.