In a Facebook post, Anwar said he was deeply saddened by the passing of his dear friend, Ibrahim.

“I pray for his family to be granted strength and for his soul to be forgiven. Insya-Allah,” he said.

Ibrahim, who was a former political secretary to Anwar, died yesterday at the KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital.

Bernama quoted his son, Zairul Ayu, as saying that his father suffered a heart attack two weeks ago and had been treated at the hospital.

After he was discharged, Ibrahim experienced breathing difficulties at his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. He was then rushed to the hospital but it was too late to save him.

Ibrahim was deputy chief minister from 1990 to 1995 under the Barisan Nasional state government, led by Koh Tsu Koon of Gerakan.

Ibrahim is a former Seberang Jaya assemblyman and used to lead the Bukit Mertajam Umno division. He had also served as Tasek Gelugor MP, deputy transport minister and Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines.

Ibrahim was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery at 10.50am today.

The funeral was attended by hundreds of family members and friends.

Ibrahim is survived by his widow, Zainab Abdul Kadeer, 76, and five children, two boys and three girls.