Salahuddin, 61, died at 9.23pm on Sunday at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, Kedah, following surgery for brain haemorrhage yesterday.
His death was confirmed in a Facebook post by his daughter Fatihah Salahuddin on Sunday.
In a statement, Salahuddin’s press secretary Syakirin Husnal said the minister’s remains would be taken to his mother’s house in Kampung Serkat (Kopi Tenggek) in Tanjung Piai, Johor.
Among leaders who arrived earlier to visit Salahuddin this evening were caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and other Parti Amanah Negara leaders.
Salahuddin had been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of HSB after undergoing surgery.
He was rushed to the hospital at about 10.15pm Friday, after developing nausea and vomiting.
He had arrived in Kedah on Friday morning to attend several programmes prior to the incident.
Salahuddin is survived by his wife, Datin Seri Fatimah Taha, and six children.
The public may pay their last respects to Salahuddin at his mother’s home in Kampung Serkat, Tanjung Piai from 7am on Monday.
The body would then be taken to Salahuddin’s home at TL7, Jalan Adil, Serkat in Pontian at about 10am.
The funeral prayers will be held at Masjid Jamek Dato’ Hj Noh Gadot, Serkat in Pontian at 11am followed by the funeral ceremony in Jalan Sulong Cemetery at noon.
Salahuddin was born on 1 Dec, 1961, in Pontian, Johor. He received his early education from Sekolah Rendah Inggeris Serkat in Pontian and completed his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Sri Perhentian.
After receiving Form Six education from Sekolah Menengah Dato’ Penggawa Barat, Salahuddin continued his tertiary education at Tunku Abdul Rahman College, where he received a diploma in business administration.
In 1984, he furthered his studies in Human Development Science at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Salahuddin had an illustrious political career. He went into politics full-time after leaving MUI Bank in 1980, where he was a financial officer.
He steadily climbed the ranks in Pas, first being elected as the Pontian Pas deputy chief in 1983 and was then the Pontian Pas Youth chief in 1987.
He also became the Johor Pas Youth chief in 1989, before ascending to the party’s central leadership. Throughout 24 years, Salahuddin had held various positions, including Pas Youth information chief, Pas Youth chief, and Pas vice-president.
Salahuddin, on Pas ticket, also secured the Kubang Kerian Parliamentary seat for two terms in 2004 and 2008.
Despite years of dedication to the Islamist party, Salahuddin was among the many others who formed the splinter group Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in 2015.
In Amanah, Salahuddin was elected its deputy president and was also appointed as PH deputy president in 2017.
A year later, he won the Simpang Jeram state seat and the Pulai Parliamentary seat as part of the coalition.
When PH formed the government in 2018, Salahuddin was appointed as the agriculture and agro-based industries minister.
His most notable achievement was introducing the Payung Rahmah initiative, to reduce the cost of living for the lower-income group and the hardcore poor.
Payung Rahmah kicked off in February this year, with a host of programmes to make food, groceries, clothing, and even eyewear more affordable for the people.
Salahuddin’s death will trigger a by-election for the federal seat of Pulai in Johor, which he first won in 2018 and successfully defended last year.
In his Facebook post, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he personally felt Salahuddin’s passing was a big loss for him and his family and that the latter stood firm in their long struggle for the nation.
“His contribution and kindness cannot be materially repaid,” he said.
He added that Salahuddin was also a strong figure who was hard-working, trustworthy and responsible.
“Rest easy my friend,” he said in his post.
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leaders expressed sadness over the sudden passing of its deputy president.
Amanah President Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Salahuddin’s passing was a tragic day for all members and supporters of the party.
He said Salahuddin’s family appeared calm as they were by his side when Salahuddin breathed his last.
“His children took turns to whisper to his ear to bid their farewell and apologised to him although he was no longer conscious,” Mohamad said.
He described Salahuddin as a dedicated person.
“Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged that Salahuddin was one of the ministers that were dedicated to carrying out their duties,” he said.
Mohamad added that he was very close to Salahuddin after they became friends decades ago.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Salahuddin’s family members.
Zahid described Salahuddin as a Cabinet colleague who was deeply respected, humble and always committed in carrying out all of his duties.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said that Salahuddin advised him to look after his health only last week.
He said that he has known Salahuddin for decades and have always been close friends.
“You will be missed, dear friend,” Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said, adding that may all efforts, services and devotion of the deceased be rewarded.
Nurul Izzah Anwar said Salahuddin was a person who had a good heart, had high empathy, and always strove to fulfil his mission for the sake of the people.
Selangor caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also expressed his sadness over Salahuddin’s passing, describing the late politician as someone who was very hardworking for the people.
“Holding the portfolio on cost of living, he was always concerned and held discussions with me to help the people of Selangor.”
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng said there were no words to describe his sadness over the passing of a good friend and comrade.
“His stature and service sow seeds of hope for the future of this country. Condolences for his family, may you be patient through this ordeal,” he said in a short tweet.
The late Salahuddin had made it a habit to forgive all those who hurt him every night, his former deputy Sim Tze Tzin shared.
The Bayan Baru MP said it was how Salahuddin achieved a sense of ease in his daily life.
“(He once told me) ‘Sim, do you know why I am at ease each day?’
“(He said) ‘It is because each night, before I sleep, I forgive all my enemies and those who cause me grief, and then I sleep’.
“That was the teaching of my former boss Salahuddin. He was so kind-hearted and friendly,” Sim posted on Facebook tonight.
Sim was previously his deputy when Salahuddin was the agriculture and agro-based industry minister from 2018 to 2020.
Sim said he managed to visit his old boss at the hospital this evening and cried all the way on his journey home from Alor Setar to Penang.
“My heart was broken,” he said.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin also paid tribute to the late Salahuddin, whom he described as a leader who was mature, progressive and pragmatic.
“Our political ideology may be different, but he is a person whom I respect.”
Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the passing of Salahuddin was a great loss to the country particularly Johor and his service to the nation would not be forgotten.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said a special flight has been arranged to send Salahuddin’s remains back to Johor.
“His special officer contacted me to see if a special flight could be arranged to take the minister’s remains from Alor Star back to Johor for final rites.
“A MAS special flight will depart KL International Airport around 11pm Sunday night and will leave for Johor Baru from Alor Star at around 1am,” said Loke on Sunday (July 23) night.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family for their loss. The late Salahuddin was a respected and well-liked leader who did exceptionally well as a minister with many initiatives to help the rakyat,” he said.
Loke said Salahuddin had never betrayed his party and had always been loyal to its struggles.