Harapan's Padang Serai candidate dies

Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Padang Serai seat in Kedah M Karupaiya has died, two days before the general election.

He was 69. At press time, the cause of death remains unknown.

The PKR member won the seat in the 2018 general election after defeating MCA’s Leong Yong Kong and PAS’ Muhammad Sobri Osman.

Karupaiya (above) was slated to face MIC’s C Sivaraajh and three others on Nov 19.

According to Kulim police chief Mohd Redzuan Salleh, Karupaiya died in Kulim Hospital at about 2.27pm.

'A huge loss'

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, in a statement following Karupaiya's passing, said he last met the latter on Nov 14, at a ceramah in Kulim, Kedah.

"He gave a brief speech and even rose hands together at the end of Harapan chairperson (Anwar Ibrahim's) speech.

"The deceased was a former first warrant officer with the Royal Malaysian Army and Padang Serai PKR division chief," said Saifuddin, adding that Karupaiya's contributions to the army and the party will be forever remembered.

"On behalf of PKR and Harapan, I relay my condolences to the deceased's family. His passing is a huge loss to the party and the Reformasi movement."

Meanwhile, Karupaiya's opponent in Padang Serai, Sivaraajh paid tribute to the deceased.

"Karupaiya is a former soldier who had dedicated a huge chunk of his life to public service and politics.

"MIC and BN are shocked by this news. This (Karupaiya's passing) is a huge loss unexpected by voters in Padang Serai. May he be at peace."

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