FORMER National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Zolkples Embong died at his house in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur, today, believed due to a heart attack.

Ampang Jaya police chief Mohamad Farouk Eshak said Zolkples, 62, was found collapsed on the floor inside the house at 10am.

“His nephew and former personal assistant had called police for assistance to open the door to the house after several calls went unanswered.”

It is learnt that the body was found in the kitchen.

Several NSC officers were believed to have tried calling Zolkples since last Friday, after he did not turn up for Friday prayers at the NSC Vista in Bukit Jalil.

Farouk in a statement today said police have ruled out foul play and classified the case as sudden death.

He said initial investigation showed that there is no sign of a break-in or struggle in the house, where Zolkples, a bachelor, was staying alone.

“According to his family, the deceased had undergone heart surgery about 10 years ago and never gone for any follow-up treatment,” he said, adding that Zolkples will be buried in Kg Sura in Dungun, Terengganu.

Zolkples was NSC director-general from 2007 to 2014. He was head of the Malaysian contingent to the 2010 Asian Games, which saw Malaysia winning nine gold medals for its best-ever achievement at the regional games.

Following that, he was given the task of leading the Malaysian contingent to the London 2012 Paralympics. He was also appointed chief executive officer for the 2017 Sea Games. – Bernama, October 3, 2021.