myPPP senior vice-president Loga Bala Mohan confirmed D’Cruz’s death with FMT.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Maglin,” the party’s Johor chapter said in a Facebook post.

“He was a remarkable leader and his legacy will continue to inspire us all. May his soul rest in peace.”

In March, D’Cruz became president of myPPP after winning the position unopposed at the party’s annual general meeting.

As a senator, he had served as deputy information, communications and culture minister between 2010 and 2012 under the Barisan Nasional administration.

myPPP had been the subject of a dispute in 2018, with M Kayveas and D’Cruz both claiming to be president of the party.

A former BN component party, myPPP was then deregistered by the Registrar of Societies in 2019. However, the home ministry this year approved myPPP’s appeal against its deregistration, and confirmed D’Cruz as its elected party president.