BAGAN DATUK: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today paid his last respects to his adoptive mother Cheah Seoh Lian, who died at her home here.
Cheah, 83, died in her sleep about 11am on Sunday.
Zahid spent about 20 minutes at the deceased's residence in Taman Desa Bersatu, Hutan Melintang.
On his arrival about 12.40pm, Zahid was seen comforting Cheah's son and his close friend Beh Song Wan, 60, who is nicknamed "Bujang".
The Bagan Datuk MP said his close relationship with the deceased and her six children spanned over decades, adding that he considered the family as his own.
"I have lost my adoptive mother. The last time I saw her was the second day of Chinese New Year, I managed to spend time eating and chatting with her," he said when met by reporters.
Zahid said he cherished the relationship with the family, adding that Malaysians must have mutual respect regardless of religion, race and culture to maintain harmony.
"We follow the sunnah (traditions) of Rasulullah SAW (Prophet Muhammad) in respecting other religions and I am confident that if we can maintain and improve this harmony then cross-culturalism among the people in Malaysia is not just about respecting but understanding different religions, cultures and races.
"This is the key to harmony among the people in the country," he said.
Meanwhile, Cheah's daughter Gina Beh Jiou Kim, 54, said her mother's health had been good, adding that she only complained of stomachache before she died.
Cheah will be buried at the Chinese cemetery in Batu 18, Kuala Bikam at 10am tomorrow. -- Bernama