Former Perlis speaker Mahmud Hashim, 89, passed away at 11.45pm at his house in Kampung Darat, Beseri near Kangar last night due to old age and nerve complications.

He leaves behind his wife Argon Saad, 84, and three children, namely  Hakimi, a draftsperson at the Public Works Department, Zurina, 47, a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Perlis and Zurida, 45, an architect, plus 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

According to his eldest son Hakimi, his father had been suffering from nerve complications for about seven years and despite receiving treatment at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar and Kedah Medical Centre (KMC) in Alor Setar, he was bedridden for about four years before his demise.

When he died, his wife Argon, his adopted son Abdul Manaf Kasa, 49, and his wife Siti Jamaliah Zaini, 46 were by his side.

After retiring as a teacher in the early 1970s, he was actively involved in politics and won the Paya state assembly seat in 1974 and defended the same seat for a second term in 1978 before being appointed speaker from 1978 to 1982.

He was buried at the Kampung Tunjong Muslim Cemetery at 1.45pm.

The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, Perlis Menteri Besar Dr Md Isa Sabu, past and present state exco members and heads of departments were among those who paid their last respects.

- Bernama