Kuala lumpur: Astro Awani's Perlis correspondent, Mohamad Asri Shafii, was discovered unconscious by the roadside along Jalan Behor Pulai at 7.20 am today. He had allegedly been trying to push his car, which was trapped in floodwaters.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Asri, 49, is believed to have died of a heart attack early this morning while returning home after covering flood evacuation operations in Hat Yai. Kangar police chief, ACP Yusharifuddin Mohd Yusop, reported that witness accounts indicated Mohamad Asri's vehicle, a Honda City, became stranded in the flood. After attempting to push the car, he collapsed on the road. Bystanders rushed to assist and moved him to the roadside, where they discovered he was no longer breathing and immediately called the police for assistance.
Yusharifuddin stated that a team from the Kangar district police headquarters' Criminal Investigation Division was dispatched to the scene. An initial examination found no criminal elements, and the body was taken to the Forensic Unit of Tuanku Fauziah Hospital for further procedures. Medical records revealed Mohamad Asri had a history of heart issues, having undergone bypass surgery in 2011 and being hospitalised again in 2014 for heart complications. He was on daily prescribed medication.
Yusharifuddin further mentioned that Mohamad Asri's wife, Norhanani Ahmad, confirmed he was scheduled to return home today after completing his assignment in Hat Yai. Meanwhile, his son, Mohamad Arif Aqel, 16, shared that his father had sent him a WhatsApp message at 2 am, reminding him to sleep, indicating no signs of any change in health.
The family was informed of the incident around 7 am by residents in their area, later discovering that Mohamad Asri's vehicle had been caught in floodwaters on his way home. He leaves behind his wife and six children, aged 11 to 20, some of whom are studying at Universiti Teknologi MARA and the Bukit Tangga Agricultural College.
Mohamad Asri had previously worked with Radio Televisyen Malaysia and the Malaysian National News Agency before joining Astro Awani as a correspondent in Perlis.