CLOSE friends of television personality Mahadzir Lokman, who died earlier today, had initially thought the news was a hoax. 

A friend, who identified herself only as Shima, said previously, a similar report that had gone viral had turned out to be a hoax. 

“I was the first to arrive at the hospital and I was shocked to find that the reports on his death were true,” she said at the hospital.

She said Mahadzir was in Sabah for work and was set to emcee an event tonight.

About 10 of his close friends, including former school friends, were seen at Queen Elizabeth Hospital awaiting the arrival of Mahadzir’s sister, Ida Lokman, to claim the body.

Ida arrived about 5.40pm and was greeted by her brother’s friends at the hospital’s Forensic Pathology Unit. 

Another friend, Audra Webber, described Mahadzir as a happy-go-lucky guy, who stayed away from vices, such as smoking.

“He thinks of Sabah as his second home and constantly visits just to say hi.

“He also loves the local seafood,” she said.

The state Health Department has yet to confirm the cause of death.

Sources said doctors were awaiting the family’s approval to conduct a post-morterm.

The TV personality, who hails from Johor and is the second of five siblings, was previously hospitalised at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya on September 24 last year. 

He had reportedly been in coma for two days after returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, according to his brother, Danial Lokman. 

Danial said Mahadzir suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and was constantly plagued by headaches. – August 3, 2018.