JASIN, Nov 11 — An aide of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Asahan seat in the Melaka election was killed today when the car he was driving collided with a lorry, three days to voting day.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman, paid tribute to J. Samivel, 62, in a Facebook post today, noting that the deceased was also Alor Gajah PKR deputy division chief.

“I have received sad news from Melaka. Brother Samivel, the representative of the Harapan candidate for the Asahan state seat, was killed in a road accident this afternoon.

“As Alor Gajah Keadilan deputy division chief, Brother Samivel had long served and remained loyal to the struggle. May his service and spirit continue to guide our steps as we carry on this struggle.

“My thoughts and prayers, and Azizah’s, are with the late Samivel’s family and fellow comrades. May they be given strength and fortitude in facing this trying ordeal,” Anwar said, speaking also for his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The crash happened along Jalan Pondok Batang here at about noon, in front of PH’s main operations room for the Asahan seat, according to the New Straits Times.

Jasin district police chief Superintendent Lee Robert said police received information about the accident at about 12.45pm.

He said initial information showed that the car Samivel was in had collided with a lorry, which RTM reported was carrying fruit.

Lee said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash, and that more details would be released once police had the full picture.

Melaka Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid said the department received an emergency call at 12.22pm.

He said rescuers found Samivel trapped in the driver’s seat, and that he was pronounced dead by Health Ministry personnel before being handed over to police.

Samivel’s body was taken to the forensic unit of Jasin Hospital for a post-mortem, the NST reported.

The PH Election Department described his death as a great loss to his family, friends, party members and everyone who knew him, the NST reported.

It also thanked him for his service and contributions, particularly his hard work throughout the state election campaign.

Sinar Harian reported that Samivel was among the “backbones” of the campaign of PH’s Asahan candidate P. Denesh.

Denesh, who was on a walkabout and house visits in Kampung Jus Permai at the time, rushed to the scene, when he heard the news.

Denesh is the challenger against Asahan incumbent from Barisan Nasional, Datuk Dr Fairul Nizam Roslan.