Zakaria Deros Dies - Leaves Istana Behind

It was reported in the Star and Malaysiakini that former Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros died after suffering a heart attack early Tuesday morning.

The 62 year old controversial politician, Zakaria, drew public attention in 2006 when he built a mansion (dubbed as an istana by his critics) without submitting building plans to the authorities.

The former Klang municipal councillor, Zakaria was also found not to have paid the

assessment for another property for 12 years and his family was caught operating an illegal satay restaurant on government reserve land.

His istana has 21 bathrooms and 16 bedrooms, including 11 that are occupied by each of his children. It also has a VIP room, three living rooms, a dining hall and a prayer room. In addition to all these, Zakaria's istana also has a swimming pool, several gazebos, an orchard, a two-hole golf lawn, an office, a storeroom, two rooms for maids as well as a wet kitchen and a dry kitchen.

Zakaria was dropped from the Umno Selangor line-up for the general election but was replaced by his daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil. She however failed to retain the seat.

Read more here and here.

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