JOHOR BAHRU: Mahkota assemblywoman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, who was receiving treatment at Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang, died today, at the age of 63.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi confirmed the passing of Sharifah Azizah in his latest post on Facebook.

"I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Mahkota assemblywoman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain.

"The death of Sharifah Azizah, affectionately known as Ummi, is indeed a great loss because she was a friendly, approachable and loveable leader.

"Her deeds and contributions to Johor, especially her constituency, Mahkota, will never be forgotten," he said.

Onn Hafiz also expressed condolences to the entire family of Sharifah Azizah and prayed that her soul would be placed among the righteous.

It is learned that the remains of Sharifah Azizah would be taken home to her residence at No 3 Jalan Ahmad Khan, Kluang, after the Friday prayers, before being laid to rest at Kampung Melayu Muslim cemetery later.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi spent 20 minutes offering words of comfort to the family at the hospital.

"We all pray for Allah to grant her speedy recovery, but if that is not the case, let's pray that Allah will ease everything for her," Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president told reporters at the hospital.

Sharifah Azizah, who was Kluang Wanita UMNO chief, was reported to have been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties on Tuesday before her condition turned critical due to internal bleeding on Wednesday.

In the 2022 state election, Sharifah Azizah, who was also the former Johor Wanita UMNO chief, won the Mahkota seat with a majority of 5,166 votes defeating Pakatan Harapan candidate Muhammad Taqiuddin Cheman, Mohamad Nor Lingan (Perikatan Nasional) and Mohamed Noor Suleiman (Warisan).

From 2018 to 2022, she was the assemblywoman for Penawar.

-- BERNAMA