Sungai Manik assemblyman Zainol Fadzi Paharudin of Bersatu confirmed the matter with FMT.

Zainol, formerly of Umno, said the Perak assemblyman had collapsed after a friendly football match he played in.

Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said Ishsam fainted at the City Stadium in George Town, Penang, while shaking hands with other players near the field.

“He was rushed to Penang Hospital at 5.40pm after being treated by paramedics. He was confirmed dead at the hospital’s emergency department at 6.28pm,” Rozak said in a statement.

An autopsy confirmed that he died from a heart attack.

Ishsam used to be a professional footballer and won the Malaysia FA Cup with Perak in 1990. The midfielder had also represented the national team.

After retiring from the sport, he ventured into business and politics.

He was elected the Ayer Kuning assemblyman in the 2022 general election, winning the seat in a five-cornered contest with a 2,213-vote majority ahead of his closest contender, Amanah’s Nazri Hashim.