The wife of former federal territories minister Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad passed away today after a long bout with parotid cancer.

Hazizah Tumin, 53, had been suffering from parotid cancer or otherwise known as cancer of the salivary gland for the past 10 years.

It is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the salivary glands. Major clusters of salivary glands are found below the tongue, on the sides of the face just in front of the ears and under the jawbone.

According to a Bernama report, she succumbed to her illness at 10.30am at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan (HUKM).

Mohamed Isa said due to her worsening condition, Hazizah was admitted to the hospital's Baldu ward last Sunday.

The former minister said he together with his children Mohamad Najib, 27, Megawati, 24, Lelawati, 21, and Juhaida, 16 were by his wife's side before she passed away.

He said Hazizah's remains would be brought to their home in Nilai to allow members of the public to give their last respects, before being taken for burial in Bagan Pinang, Port Dickson after Asar prayers.

Hazizah, a former teacher, married Mohamed Isa on Nov 26, 1977.