SEREMBAN: Parti Keadilan Rakyat's first-term Pilah assemblyman Mohamad Nazaruddin Sabtu, who has been missing in action, is not quitting politics but is fighting a mysterious illness that may apparently be linked to black magic.

His special officer Aminuddin Mohamed Yunus said Mohamad Nazaruddin fell ill after the May 9 general election and his condition worsened after Hari Raya.

The 62-year-old state arts, culture and Malay traditions committee chairman has not been attending official events, including the recent four-day assembly sitting and other engagements.

"We have referred him to hospital for treatment and doctors have told us that he is stressed.

"However, we have also referred him for traditional treatment at five different places and, surprisingly, we were told that he may be a victim of black magic," Aminuddin said.

He said due to his health problems, Mohamad Nazaruddin was also unable to contest in last Saturday's state PKR polls. He was previously Kuala Pilah division deputy chief.

Aminuddin said Mohamad Nazaruddin has appointed an individual to man his service centre in Kuala Pilah which will be operational next month.

"Since he is still undergoing treatment and is unable to serve his constituents, we have appointed an officer to take charge," he said, adding that Mohamad Nazaruddin too had said that he felt as if someone had cast a spell on him.

He said when Mohamad Nazaruddin first fell ill, he was unable to eat. But his appetite improved after he went for traditional treatment.

Sarimah Zaizakrani, 55, at times had to accompany her husband to the office to see to his needs.

In the May 9 general election, Mohamad Nazaruddin defeated incumbent Datuk

Norhayati Omar from Barisan Nasional and PAS' Ahmad Fadzil Othman in a three-cornered fight.

Mohamad Nazaruddin polled 5,643 votes against Norhayati's 3,837 and Ahmad Fadzil's 1,413.