BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sept 24 — Idrus Ibrahim, the elder brother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, passed away on Thursday at the age of 83. He died in his sleep at his home in Cherok Tokun, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, around 5.30pm.
His daughter, Aida Rafizah Idrus, 54, said her father showed no unusual signs beforehand. The retired teacher, affectionately known as Cikgu Idrus, had suffered a heart attack last year but had recovered. He had a poor appetite recently and weaker legs, but remained able to walk and manage himself. He slept after Zuhr prayers and appeared to have been preparing for Asar prayers, with his sarong placed nearby. Family members found him unconscious when they tried to wake him. Medical personnel confirmed he died of old age.
Anwar received the news while flying home from a three-day working visit to China. In a social media post, he wrote that it was difficult to express the sense of loss of someone who had shared so many memories throughout his life. He regretted not being at his brother’s side in the final moments but accepted the loss with resignation. He thanked Idrus for the memories and kindness left behind and asked the public to recite Al-Fatihah and pray that Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him mercy.
Idrus leaves behind a wife, four children and 10 grandchildren. Funeral prayers will be held at the Cherok Tokun Bawah Mosque prayer hall, with burial at the adjacent cemetery after Friday prayers on Friday.
Condolences have come from across Malaysia and abroad, including Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. Idrus was remembered as a principled educator with a long career in teaching.
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