Sabbaruddin died at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre at 7.45pm tonight, according to his special assistant Zamri Mohamed, Berita Harian reported.

Zamri said Sabbaruddin, a former Umno secretary-general, had been admitted for a week after testing positive for Covid-19.

He said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has been informed. The prime minister is visiting Sarawak.

Ismail had previously called Sabbaruddin his “sifu” (teacher) and mentor, saying his political success was largely due to contributions and the role played by Sabbaruddin, who was MP for Temerloh and a deputy finance minister in 1982-1987 in the Dr Mahathir Mohamad government.

In an Instagram post this evening, Ismail paid tribute to Sabbaruddin, calling him an “important episode” in his political career.

Sabbaruddin had made him a Temerloh Umno committee member in 1987 before naming him as the division’s information chief a few months later. In 1995 he was appointed as Sabbaruddin’s political aide.

It was then that he gained a lot of experience and knowledge with Sabbaruddin’s help, said Ismail.

“He was very disciplined, punctual and hardworking. His passing is a huge loss not just for me but for the entire nation.”

Sabaruddin’s remains will be laid to rest tomorrow, although the time and location were still unconfirmed, his aide Zamri said.

Zamri said Sabbaruddin had planned to celebrate his birthday with the prime minister on Dec 11.