The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today conveyed his condolences to the family of Dr Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik who died at about 6am today at the Pontian Hospital in Johor.

Sultan Abdullah expressed his sympathies and sorrow over the passing of the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department and hoped his family members would stay strong and patient in facing this test from the Almighty.

“Dr Mohd Farid was at the Istana Negara yesterday to perform the Friday prayers together with His Majesty and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the surau here in conjunction with the Warriors’ Day celebration this month.

"He also had an audience with His Majesty after performing the congregational Solat Istisqa (prayers for rain) to ease the worsening haze, after the Friday prayers," according to a statement issued by the Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.

Sultan Abdullah also prayed that the soul of the deceased would receive blessings from Allah SWT and be placed among the righteous.

According to Johor Bersatu secretary Mohd Solihan Badri, Farid, 42, who was Tanjung Piai MP and Tanjung Piai Bersatu vice-chief, was believed to have died of a heart attack.

The prime minister also extended his condolences to the family of Farid today.

Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairperson, described the demise of the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department (national unity and social wellbeing) as a great loss to the country.

"[...] (Mohd Farid was) still young. My deepest condolences to the family," said Mahathir in a sombre tone when met by reporters after performing the asar and funeral prayers at the Datuk Noh Gadut Mosque in Serkat, Pontian today.

Mahathir, accompanied by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, arrived at the mosque at 3.40 pm.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal, Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir and Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya.

Sahruddin described Mohd Farid's demise as a great loss not only to Pakatan Harapan but also to the country.

"I was shocked upon learning of his death [...] Farid had attended a programme (at the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency) last night.

"He went to the hospital today after suffering from chest pains," he said, adding Farid was an anesthesiologist at a private hospital in Melaka before joining politics.

Mohd Farid He won the Tanjung Piai seat in the last general election by defeating incumbent Wee Jeck Seng of MCA with a majority of 524 votes.

He leaves behind a wife, Farah Syazwani Hanis Ismail, 32, and three children - Sophie Farissya, 8, Eva Ariaana, 4 and Zara Aleena, 2. - Bernama