ARAU: Former Perlis menteri besar Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh has been described as a leader with a positive personality despite suffering from kidney disease.
Hamid's fourth son, Muhd Sharif Pawanteh Abdul Hamid, 39, said his father, who passed away at the age of 78, was a figure who was always positive and an outstanding leader when he was menteri besar for almost a decade from August 1986 to May 1995.
"Just imagine, he was so positive and viewed his illness as a challenge, an obtacle, a hurdle that he must overcome.
"In fact, even while he was in pain and suffering because of his illness, he always tried to cheer everyone up, not just his family but his friends and colleagues who came to visit him, even when he was bedridden he still did the best he could," said Sharif when met at the family home in Jalan Syed Hassan here earlier today.
He said his late father had been suffering from kidney disease since last year and was receiving haemodialysis treatment since March this year at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF) dialysis centre in Kangar.
"He was undergoing dialysis treatment for his kidneys since March, though from last week he stopped because he felt that he could no longer cope nor continue undergoing such a treatment.
"So he told us that he just wanted to rest at home and be surrounded by his immediate family, his children and grandchildren before he goes. His illness meant that he had very limited mobility and movement, so he was just lying in bed," said Sharif.
He expressed appreciation and gratitude to all especially those who helped his father undergo dialysis threatment.
Observations at Hamid's residence found that people from all walks of life in Perlis regardless of race or religion had come to pay their respects to one of the state's most notable and respected leaders.
Earlier, current Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli and state executive council member Wan Badariah Wan Saad, who is the Mata Ayer assemblyman and Indera Kayangan assemblyman Gan Ay Ling were present at Hamid's home to pay their last respects.
Other state leaders who came to pay their last respects included Datuk Seri Azlan Man, Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Tan Sri Azmi Khalid and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
Hamid leaves behind his wife, Puan Seri Elham Hamid Abdullah, 76, and five children.
His remains were laid to rest at the Masjid Lama Arau Muslim Cemetery after Friday prayers.
Hamid was Arau member of parliament from 1982 to 1986, then Kangar MP from 1999 to 2003.
In July 2003, Hamid stepped down as Kangar MP to be the resident of Dewan Negara until 2009. He was also deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.