Onboard the special flight from Alor Setar were his wife Fatimah Taha and agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat was among those at the airport to receive the body.

The hearse carrying the body to the residence of Salahuddin’s mother, Aminah Abdullah, 83, in Kampung Serkat (Kopi Tenggek), Tanjung Piai in Pontian, was escorted by the police and domestic trade and cost of living ministry vehicles.

Salahuddin’s remains will then be brought to his residence in Jalan Adil, near there, and to Masjid Jamek Dato’ Haji Noh Gadot in Serkat thereafter.

Meanwhile, a sombre atmosphere was felt as family members and friends started gathering at Aminah’s residence from midnight.

Salahuddin died at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar last night. He was 61.

He had undergone emergency surgery on Friday morning after he suffered a brain haemorrhage the night before.

The Amanah deputy president leaves behind Fatimah and six children – four boys and two girls.