Zahid's special officer Ramesh Rao dies

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's special officer for Indian affairs, Ramesh Rao, died early this morning. He was 52.

In a statement, Zahid expressed his condolences to Ramesh's family and his  appreciation for his service and contributions to the community and the country before and when holding the post.

"With feelings of sadness and grief, I and all at the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the rural and regional development ministry would like to convey our condolences to the family of the late Ramesh Rao, my special officer who died early this morning.

"May the family members, his acquaintances and close friends stay strong and resilient in the face of the loss of someone they loved," he said.

Ramesh died at his home in Petaling Jaya, understood to be due to a heart attack.

Ramesh, who was also Pertubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin president, was appointed as a special officer to the deputy prime minister on Dec 24 last year, to look into the problems and interests of the Indian community.