SUBANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the passing of Rozaid Abdul Rahman as a personal loss.
Anwar said that the late Rozaid, who served as the Media and Strategic Communications Division director at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), was a long-time colleague and friend.
He extended his condolences to Rozaid's family and attended the funeral prayers held at the Putra Heights Mosque earlier this morning.
"We have lost a friend who was like family to me. Rozaid and I go way back, to his days in the media. His father was also a close friend of mine in Permatang Pauh and once served as the assemblyman.
"In the Prime Minister's Office, Rozaid was a key figure in media strategy, offering valuable insights and approaches. My family and I pray that Rozaid's soul is blessed by Allah, and I ask his wife and family to remain patient and strong. Personally, I have lost a dear friend and comrade," Anwar said.
Also present were former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Nearly 100 people performed the funeral prayers led by Putra Heights Mosque imam Muhammad Ilyas Zulkipli.
The body was later taken to the Precinct 20 Muslim cemetery in Putrajaya.
Among those who attended the funeral were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Rozaid, 59, who was appointed as Media and Strategic Communications director on May 23, 2023, died at his home in Putra Heights here due to heart problems.
With vast experience in the field of journalism for over 40 years, the veteran journalist previously received treatment at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital, Serdang, since July 1 and was discharged on Aug 6.
He is survived by his wife and seven children, aged between 17 and 33.