Former Terengganu MB Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar buried safely in Section 21 Shah Alam

Former Terengganu Menteri Besar Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Wan Ahmad was safely buried at the Section 21 Muslim Cemetery here, at about 3 pm today.

The funeral rites were held in the presence of family members and close acquaintances at the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque in Bukit Jelutong after Zohor prayers, which was led by his son, Wan Abdul Hakim.

Earlier, the Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam was seen paying his last respects at the mosque, while Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister and Hulu Terengganu MP, Datuk Rosol Wahid was among those present during the burial.

Wan Mokhtar, 88, died at the Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur due to heart complications at 6.20 am.

He had served as the Terengganu MB for 25 years from 1974 to 1999.

Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Hakim, 52, who is also the former state assemblyman for Air Putih, Terengganu, said his father was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after his health condition deteriorated.

"My father's heart was previously only able to function at about 20 per cent, and when we saw his health began to deteriorate, we sent him to the hospital.

"He passed away peacefully, in his sleep. We are thankful the burial process went on smoothly," said Wan Abdul Hakim, who is also Wan Mokhtar's fourth child.

Meanwhile, Rosol, when met by reporters described Wan Mokhtar's departure as a great loss to the people of Terengganu.

"He was a very humble person, easy to talk to and he liked to give advice, especially to young people. He brought about many developments in Terengganu, among them the laying of tarmac roads, and advocating educational excellence.

"He was also the one who brought me into the political world and guided me. I will never be able to repay his kindness. My deepest condolences to all his family members," he said.

-- BERNAMA