Salahuddin Ayub passes away at 61

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub has passed away today.

His daughter Siti Fatihah announced on Facebook that he died at 9.23pm.

The 61-year-old leaves behind a wife and six children.

The Amanah deputy president was rushed to a hospital in Alor Setar on Friday, where doctors detected a brain haemorrhage.

He underwent emergency surgery and was reported to be in stable condition this morning.

A statement from Salahuddin's office confirmed his death, and that his remains would be brought to his home town in Kampung Serkat, Tanjung Piai, Johor for burial.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said at a ceramah in Negeri Sembilan that arrangements have been made with Malaysia Airlines to fly Salahuddin's remains out of Kedah at 1am.

Salahuddin was a two-time Pulai MP and two-time Kubang Kerian lawmaker.

As the domestic trade and cost of living minister, Salahuddin introduced the Rahmah initiative which sought to bring affordable goods and services to the public.

This started with RM5 meals, and has since expanded to other goods and services such as insurance, and spectacles.

The Johor native previously served as agriculture and agro-based industry minister under the first Pakatan Harapan government.

Salahuddin's political journey began in Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, where he was the Pontian secretary in the early 1980s.

He also joined PAS at that time and slowly climbed the ranks - with his highest post being PAS vice-president.

In 2015, when PAS split over disagreement on whether to continue being allied with DAP, Salahuddin was among those who left the party to form Amanah.

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