KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Federal lawmakers from both sides of the aisle offered their condolences over the passing of former Kedah mentri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak, who died this morning from a serious heart complication.

Leading the group in expressing sorrow, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia described the PAS state commissioner’s passing as a “huge loss” to Malaysians.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gombak MP and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said Azizan (picture) had helped build relations among Pakatan Rakyat parties.

“Tan Sri was a strong backer of the people’s movement, to form a stronger Pakatan ... He was a figure who had helped to strengthen the ties between PAS and PKR,” Azmin said.

PKR vice-president N. Surendran also praised Azizan as an honest man and a fine leader, whose passing was regretted by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders.

“The great difference between him and previous MBs was that he was not corrupt at all ... He was a good honest man who believed the state should be ruled for the benefit of people, not for cronies, or higher-ups in the government,” said the Padang Serai MP.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim recalled Azizan fondly as one of a few men who had accepted a Barisan Nasional (BN) state’s offer of co-operation.

“I knew him, although not very close ... When I was an MB once, I used to ask him to come give religious lectures and forums organised by the state government,” said the former Perlis mentri besar.

PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli confirmed that several of the Islamist party’s lawmakers including Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Tumpat MP Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar will be making a trip to Alor Star later today for Azizan’s funeral, which will be held after the Muslim evening prayers.

“He gave much priority towards education development in Kedah, to ensure that Kedah folks will not be left behind in education,” said Mahfuz, who is also a PAS vice-president.

The Sungai Limau assemblyman’s passing was verified by his successor as Kedah mentri besar, Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir, today.

According to state news agency Bernama, the 69-year-old died in Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah where he had been treated after being moved there from Penang last month. Azizan reportedly slipped into critical condition yesterday following an emergency cardiac procedure.

His death will trigger a by-election for his state assembly seat of Sungai Limau.

Azizan became mentri besar of Kedah when it fell to Pakatan Rakyat after Election 2008, until May this year when Barisan Nasional regained the state in the 13th general election.

Azizan had a history of heart complications as well as diabetes. In May, he underwent a double amputation to remove both legs due to worsening complications caused by his diabetes.