Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed shock that former Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Junid had passed away this morning at his home in Kuala Lumpur.

Sanusi was 75 when he passed away about 6am, before the dawn prayers, at his home in Pantai Dalam. He was laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery after Friday prayers.

At a press conference in Penang today, Lim said Sanusi attended Pakatan Harapan's 14th general election manifesto launch in Shah Alam, Selangor, last night.

"He looked fit. He could walk on his own, and went up on the stage by himself. He even held up our manifesto on stage (when photos were taken)," Lim said, in a solemn mood.

"I could not believe news of his death when I heard it this morning, I even asked myself, could it be true?" Lim added.

He extended his condolences to Sanusi's family and said his special officer, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, represented him at the funeral today.

Sanusi served as national and rural development minister in 1981, and as agriculture minister in 1986 before being appointed as Kedah menteri besar from 1996 to 1999, during the reign of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Sanusi joined Bersatu when it was formed, becoming its disciplinary committee chairperson.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy also expressed his sympathy to the family over Sanusi's death.

Ramasamy, a defender of Acehnese rights, described the veteran Umno leader as "Godfather of the Aceh community".

"He helped those in need and was active in helping to provide advice during the Free Acheh Movement. He was proud of his Acehnese background," Ramasamy added.