IPOH: Prof Datuk Dr Zakaria Kasa, the former Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) vice-chancellor who was freed by the court on Thursday of abuse of power charges, died of heart complications today.
His son, Mohd Fauzi, 34, said his father died with his family by his side at the Slim River Hospital at 12.30pm.
"My father had been suffering from heart problems for years.
"After the court case concluded on Thursday, my father returned to Tanjung Malim, Perak. On Friday, he was rushed to hospital after losing consciousness.
"He was treated there until today, when he breathed his last," he told Bernama.
He said Zakaria's remains were brought to the Masjid Al-Mursyidin in UPSI for prayers before being taken to his hometown of Kodiang Lama, Kedah for burial tonight.
Zakaria had served in UPSI from 2007 to 2018.
He leaves behind a wife and six children.
Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya had freed and acquitted Zakaria of abuse of power charges. He was accused of inserting his son's name for an interview in the university 10 years ago.
