TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke’s shortness of breath while replying to questions in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday was not related to a heart attack, said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

Lukanisman said it was due to fitness problems faced by the minister, Bernama reported.

He said Loke was in a hurry to get to parliament because he was stuck in a traffic jam earlier and by chance it was his turn to answer oral questions as soon as he arrived.

“When he arrived at parliament in a hurry, he (Loke) immediately entered the hall and there was shortness of breath while answering oral questions.

“So, it is not related to a heart attack or anything (other diseases), it is all about the fitness of the individual. If you have been running, sometimes you can get out of breath,” he said after an event in Ipoh today.

On Wednesday, there were anxious moments in Dewan Rakyat when Loke was seen to be gasping for breath when he started speaking and then asked to be given time to calm down.

Following that, Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng requested that Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah continue the session.

However, Loke resumed his duties by answering supplementary questions posed by Subang MP Wong Chen.

Lukanisman said all parliament members should undergo mandatory health screenings. – July 12, 2024.