He had been working tirelessly for three days at the Batang Kali landslide disaster area, said a spokesman for the fire and rescue department.

“He had a headache and was rushed to the hospital at 6pm. The doctor said he suffered the stroke due to exhaustion and lack of sleep.”

Norazam is under medical surveillance at the emergency ward and would be kept under observation for at least 48 hours, said the spokesman. He is conscious and his condition is under control.

Norazam had been leading his men in the search and rescue operation in Batang Kali where a landslide at a camping ground claimed the lives of 24 people. A total of 61 survived while nine others are still missing.

He had regularly appeared at media conferences with Hulu Selangor police chief Suffian Abdullah to update the public on the operation’s progress.