KAJANG: Berita Harian administrative executive Norasmaliza Minhat has died today, just a day after returning home from performing umrah.
Her mother, Zinap Mohamed, said her 48-year-old daughter was found unconscious in her room at Taman Desa Budiman, Bandar Sg Long, after the Zohor prayer this afternoon.
Zinap, 69, said medical officers from the Health Ministry, who were dispatched to the house, pronounced her daughter dead.
She added that she and Norasmaliza had returned from umrah yesterday with a group of pilgrims from Media Prima Bhd (MPB).
"We arrived home at 5am yesterday, and my daughter showed no signs of illness. Instead, she was cheerful as she was welcomed by family members and her child.
"She was just resting in her room after returning from umrah. She, however, did not come down to eat until this morning.
"Her husband also did not suspect anything because this morning my daughter was sleeping and did not want to disturb her," she said.
Zinap added that she felt uneasy when her daughter did not come down from her room after the Zohor prayer.
"After finished cooking, I went upstairs to invite her to eat, but I found her lying still before making an emergency call," she said.
Norasmaliza, who was the eldest of four siblings, leaves behind her son, 17, who is studying at the Mara Junior Science College in Arau, Perlis.
Norasmaliza, who joined The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd's administration department in 1997, is expected to be buried at the Sungai Long Muslim Cemetery tomorrow.
"My daughter had long wanted to take me and her son to perform the umrah. She was unable to take her son along since he is going to sit for exams.
"Regardless, I accept my daughter's passing with an open heart and am grateful for the opportunity to visit the Holy Land with her.
"She was a good daughter," she said.