Rozaid died in his home in Putra Heights, two weeks after being discharged from hospital where he had received treatment for a heart condition.

His death was confirmed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was among the dignitaries who offered condolences to Rozaid’s family. Zahid said he had known Rozaid since he was young and had recently visited him.

Government spokesman and communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said Rozaid was extremely dedicated to his job, very approachable and well respected.

Rozaid, a former group editor-in-chief of Sinar Harian, joined the Prime Minister’s Office in May last year.

He began his career in journalism as a cadet reporter with Utusan Malaysia in 1984. In 2021 he joined Sinar Harian where he helped launch Sinar Daily, an English news portal for the Karangkraf Media Group. He was also previously with The Star as an executive editor.