Lose Heart Zakaria

Former Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros died after suffering a heart attack early Tuesday morning.

It is disheartening to know that there are people who are above the law and have extra special privileges. Not to sound cold or anything, but no one actually thought he deserved an eulogy.

Annie Freeda Cruez of NST today wrote:

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros, 62, was unknown to most Malaysians until 2006 when he became the most controversial figure in the land.

Relatives, supporters and friends at Zakaria’s mansion yesterday.The media focus was on him after it was revealed that a piece of land worth RM1.3 million had been alienated to his wife, Datin Zizah Ngah, for just RM180,000.Then it was discovered that he had begun work on a palatial home, later dubbed Istana Zakaria, without planning approval.Despite being summoned by the sultan of Selangor and being chastised by all segments of society, Zakaria was unrepentant.He hosted a dinner for orphans at his mansion a day after he moved in on Oct 9. Reporters who were invited to cover the event were stunned when they were taken on a tour and saw for themselves the sheer size of his home.

Zakaria's mansion sits on a 43,000 sq metre plot. On the grounds are a large koi pond, a swimming pool and a mini golf course, among other facilities.In the house, the floor of the main hall is of top quality marble. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling. As the media spotlight continued to be trained on him, it was discovered that he had been operating a popular satay restaurant in Klang without a permit. The restaurant was subsequently demolished by the authorities. It was also revealed that he had defaulted on RM45,000 in assessment for three properties. When this became public, he paid up.He was rebuked by the prime minister and also summoned by the sultan to explain his actions.

Zakaria, who rose from a railway gate keeper to political strongman, said: "It was never my intention to boast or show off by building a bigger house. My wife and I merely wanted a more comfortable dwelling for our 11 children, seven daughters- and sons-in-law as well as 11 grandchildren."

He said the grounds had facilities for the community such as a surau and a tuition and community activity centre.Zakaria, who was Klang division Umno chief, came under more fire when his son Zainuri, the acting Klang Umno Youth chief, and daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil, the Klang Puteri Umno chief, were appointed as MPK councillors. He himself was not re-appointed.

On Aug 24 last year, Zakaria made the headlines again when he and six other company directors escaped 37 charges under the Companies Act 1965. They were fined RM1,400 for various offences that included the failure to submit their financial statements and not holding annual general meetings.

Nothing seemed to be going right for Zakaria as last Nov 1, his name came up again over the Selangor Badminton Association's successful application for land from the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS). Zakaria was the association president and PKNS chairman.Tragedy struck Zakaria's family on Jan 16 when his brother-in-law, 45-year-old Fathil Ahmad, a general worker at Northport in Port Klang, was found hanged in his home in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran. On Feb 21, Zakaria was not picked to re-contest the Port Klang state seat but the nomination of his daughter-in-law, Roselinda, 32, sparked an outcry as well.Roselinda lost to Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Badrul Hisham Abdullah.