PASIR PUTIH: Umi Slaia Ibrahim was waiting longingly to see her daughter later this month.

Sadly, that is not to be. The pisang goreng seller died at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Baru yesterday.

Umi Slaiae, who was being treated for throat cancer, died at 6.30am.

Her husband, Mohamad Lazim, said Umi Slaia had been looking forward to seeing their daughter, 25-year-old Umi Azlim, later this month.

"She was feeling happy and kept saying that she could not wait to meet our daughter in Guangdong.
"We were supposed to go there to attend her court hearing but now I will have to go alone," said the 51-year-old car mechanic and former soldier at the family's home in Kampung Tok Kamis.

Mohamad said his wife was warded at the hospital on Thursday and was in a semi-conscious state.

He said Umi Slaia had been diagnosed with cancer in March but the family had kept the news from Umi Azlim as they did not want her to worry.

Umi Azlim is among a number of Malaysian women who are believed to have been duped into becoming drug mules for syndicates here.

The Universiti Malaysia Sabah honours student had been hired by a "Kuala Lumpur-based firm" to market foot massage equipment in China.

However, upon arrival in Shantou last year, 2kg of heroin was found in her luggage.

She was sentenced to death but is appealing the ruling.