JOHOR BAHRU: The father of Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Mahkota state by-election, died today.

The news was shared via a post on the Johor UMNO official Facebook page this evening.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Syed Hussien’s father. Let us all recite the Al-Fatihah for his soul. May the deceased be placed among the righteous,” the post read.

“Condolences to Syed Hussien and his family. May they find strength and resilience in facing this trial from Allah SWT.”

Last Sunday, media reports indicated that Syed Abdullah, 67, had been placed in an induced coma while receiving treatment at Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang.

Syed Hussien, 40, the Kluang UMNO Youth Chief, was announced as the BN candidate for the Mahkota by-election.

The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2, while receiving treatment at Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital.

Polling day is on Sept 28, with nomination day on Sept 14 and early voting on Sept 24.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the president of UMNO, extended his condolences to the family of the late Syed Abdullah and hoped the family persevere in facing the test.

“May the late Syed Abdullah Syed Abdul Hamid be placed among the righteous and will be granted with Jannah. Al-Fatihah,” he said on X today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, also expressed her condolences and prayed that the soul of the deceased be blessed and placed among the righteous.

“Also my condolences to the family members, and may they be given perseverance and strength over this loss. Let us all recite Al-Fatihah for the deceased,” said Azalina, who is also UMNO’s Information chief.