JOHOR BARU: Former Johor state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan passed away at about 2.30am this morning. He was 79.
Mohd Ali, who was Tiram assemblyman for four terms from 1982 to 1999; and Tebrau member of Parliament from 1999 to 2004, died at the KPJ Specialist Hospital here, said his son-in-law, Kamarul Shahriman Kamaruddin.
"He was taken to hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties. He was receiving treatment at the hospital's emergency unit when his condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at 2.30am," said Kamarul.
Mohd Ali was previously hospitalised for a heart ailment and pneumonia.
He served as state assembly speaker for two terms, the first between 1991 and 1999 and the second between 2004 and 2013.
He leaves behind wife Datin Misbah Sakat, 65, four children and 11 grandchildren.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who paid his last respects at Mohd Ali's house, described his passing as a big loss to the state, as he was a charismatic politician who contributed much to Johor.
"He contributed a lot of effort and ideas, especially in the Islamic development of the state – so much so that he was chosen as the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Johor 1435 Hijrah in 2013," said Khaled.
Mohd Ali was laid to rest at the Jalan Kebun Teh Muslim Cemetery.