Salahuddin holds special place in my heart - Hannah

KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub's passing on Sunday night caused Hannah Yeoh to lose an honorable colleague and a close friend.

The Minister of Youth and Sports made the statement as soon as she received a message on the WhatsApp application informing her of the demise of the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

"I still cannot accept his sudden departure. I repeatedly re-read our Whatsapp messages.

"I don't know how I would react when I see his empty seat in the Cabinet meeting this week. It's so heart-wrenching to imagine," Hannah said in a post on her Facebook account on Monday.

The late Salahuddin, said Hannah, was held in the most special position in her heart.

"I always tell him that I will never forget his kindness to me.

"Once in Parliament, a former minister made a cheap comment during my debate, and it was Salahuddin who later defended me in his speech.

"In politics, seeing a fellow Member of Parliament stand up for you is priceless. Hansard has proven the value of our friendship," said Hannah again.

In the same post, Hannah also revealed that the late minister was known as a minister who always worked hard.

"For all Malaysians, I testify that Salahuddin never once wasted every moment you gave him the mandate in Putrajaya.

"He worked hard until the end of Friday," she added.

Thanks to Salahuddin's dedication and commitment to the 'Rahmah Programme' that he pioneered, Hannah said, it impacted the people since its first launch.

According to Hannah, the Rahmah Programme is not just a programme; instead, it is an initiative that he wants to be used as a value system - traders help each other to help those in need so that no one in this country goes hungry.

The late Salahuddin breathed his last at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) Alor Setar, at 9.23pm on Sunday after being put to sleep post- surgery due to brain haemorrhage.

He was 61 years old and left behind a widow and six children. - AWANI