In announcing this, the party’s state chief, Liew Chin Tong, paid tribute to Ahmad, hailing him as a hero who helped pave the way for Pakatan Harapan to wrest the state – once an Umno stronghold – from the Barisan Nasional in the May 9 polls.

Liew said that Ahmad had joined the party in 1975, a time when not many Malays would have thought of doing so.

The deputy defence minister said Ahmad was attracted to DAP’s commitment to non-communal politics.

“However, his family was not supportive of him becoming a DAP member and he waited until his father passed away before joining the party,” Liew wrote on Facebook.

Ahmad served as the party’s state chief from 2004 to 2005. He was also the DAP Johor vice-chairman from 2005 to 2013.

At the national level, he served as the party’s deputy secretary-general from 2004 to 2008 and was part of the central executive committee for three decades beginning 1982.

“He had no qualms contesting in tough seats, like Tanjung Piai and Labis, which was once a BN stronghold,” Liew said.

“On behalf of DAP, we would like to thank Ahmad for his loyalty, service and sacrifice.”