Former NSC DG Zolkples Embong dies

KUALA LUMPUR: Former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong died at his house in Pandan Indah here today, believed due to a heart attack.

Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the body of Zolkples, 62, was found on the floor inside the house at 10 am.

"His nephew and former personal assistant had called police for assistance to open the door to the house after several calls went unanswered," he said when contacted.

It is learnt that the body was found in the kitchen.

Several NSC officers were also said to have tried calling Zolkples since last Friday after he did not turn up for Friday prayers at the NSC Vista in Bukit Jalil.

In a statement later, Mohamad Farouk said police had ruled out foul play and classified the case as sudden death.

He said preliminary investigations showed that there were no signs of break-in or struggle in the house, where Zolkples, a bachelor, was staying alone.

"According to his family, Zolkples had undergone heart surgery about 10 years ago and had never gone for any follow-up treatment since then," he added.

According to his family members, Zolkples last took a COVID-19 test on Friday and the result was negative, he said.

He said Zolkples would be buried in Kampung Sura in Dungun, Terengganu.

Zolkples was the NSC director-general from 2007 to 2014.

He was also the head of the Malaysian contingent to the 2010 Asian Games which saw Malaysia winning nine gold medals for their best ever achievement at the regional games.

Following that, Zolkples was given the task of leading the Malaysian contingent to the London 2012 Paralympics.

He was also appointed the 2017 Sea Games chief executive officer.

-- BERNAMA