M'sia PM Anwar's brother, 83, passes away in his sleep

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's elder brother, Idrus Ibrahim, passed away on Sep. 24 at the age of 83.

Idrus died in his sleep at his home in Cherok Tok Kun, Bukit Mertajam, according to the New Straits Times (NST).

Anwar, who was on his way back to Malaysia after concluding a three-day working visit to China, shared the news of his brother's passing in a Facebook post.

Anwar regrets not being by brother's side

In his post, Anwar said he received the heartbreaking news while travelling home to Malaysia.

He said it was difficult to come to terms with the loss of someone with whom he had shared so many memories.

Anwar also expressed regret that he was unable to be by his brother's side during his final moments.

He thanked Idrus for his kindness over the years, saying the memories they shared would remain close to his heart.

Died in his sleep

Idrus's daughter, Aida Rafizah Idrus, 54, told NST that her father had not shown any unusual signs of illness before his death.

Idrus had suffered a heart attack the previous year but had since recovered, although his appetite had recently declined.

His legs had also become weaker, but he was still able to walk and take care of himself, she said.

"We really didn't expect it, didn't suspect it at all," Aida said.

She said Idrus had eaten a small amount of kiwi fruit and a dessert earlier that day before saying he wanted to rest.

Idrus then lay down to sleep and appeared to have been preparing to wake up for prayers, as he had placed his prayer sarong nearby.

Aida tried to wake him at around 5:30pm but found him unresponsive.

She said the medical team later told the family that Idrus had died of old age.

'The house in Cherok Tok Kun will never be the same'

In a subsequent Facebook post, Anwar reflected on the memories the family had shared at their Cherok Tok Kun home.

"The house in Cherok Tok Kun will never be the same again," he wrote.

Anwar said the house had witnessed the family's laughter and memories, as well as the hardships and good times they had experienced together.

He described Idrus as someone who was very close to him.

"Farewell, brother," Anwar wrote, adding that the loss of someone he had grown up with and shared much of his life with would not be easy.

In a third post, Anwar said he had returned to Cherok Tok Kun to join his extended family in bidding his brother a final farewell.

He thanked Idrus for the love and kindness he had shown the family throughout his life.

Leaves behind wife, 4 children & 10 grandchildren

Idrus was the second of eight siblings, according to NST.

He left behind his wife, 80-year-old Faridah Hanim Mohd Ghouse, four children and 10 grandchildren.