Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail, 59, died today after collapsing while playing badminton at the teachers training college, Aminuddin Baki Institute, in Genting Highlands at about 6.30pm.

razali ismail He was at the college for a Terengganu Umno retreat. His body was subsequently brought to Hospital Bentong. The deputy minister leaves behind his wife Nooraini Lob Yusoff and five children.

Malaysiakini learnt that his remains will be taken to his hometown in Terengganu tonight.

Razali, who was a two-term Kuala Terengganu parliamentarian for Umno, defeated PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu and 89-year-old Maimun Yusuf in the March 8 general elections.

kuala terengganu parliament seat 291108 He won with a slim majority of 628 by bagging 32,562 votes against Mohamad’s 31,934 and Independent candidate Maimun’s 685.

Razali, a first-time deputy minister, was chairperson of the Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

The Election Commission is expected to call a by-election within 60 days.

'A great loss'

Meanwhile, Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Razali’s death is a great loss for his ministry.

hishammuddin hussein 00 "Very sad... It's a great loss," he told Malaysiakini via the short messaging system (SMS).

According to the Umno Terengganu official website, Razali was born in Hulu Terengganu on June 25, 1949.

He pursued a History course in Universiti Malaya and after teaching for several years, completed a Masters in Education in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Apart from being a teacher, he was also a lecturer at several teachers training colleges.

Following this, Razali held the post of principal at the Kota Bharu teachers training college, Pasir Panjang teachers training college and the Batu Rakit teachers training college

He was later promoted to director of the Terengganu education department and subsequently appointed as director of the teachers training department in the Education Ministry in 2002.