Mat Sabu to represent Malaysia at Ali Khamenei’s funeral, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be represented by agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu at the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran tomorrow, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking during a fireside chat at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable here today, Anwar said he was invited to attend the funeral but could not make it due to prior commitments.

“For the funeral of Khamenei tomorrow in Tehran, we will send our agriculture minister to represent the country,” he said.

Khamenei, 86, ruled Iran for nearly 37 years before being killed in US-Israeli air strikes on Feb 28. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba.

The funeral, which was delayed for more than four months, is being held across Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad from July 3 to 9, with a ceremony for foreign dignitaries scheduled in Tehran tomorrow.

Iranian officials have said representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to attend.