She was 74.

This was announced by her closest relative, Yahya Hamid.

Yahya said she died at the residence of her son in Ampang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur.

“Her remains are now in Ampang Jaya and will be brought to Kuala Pilah tonight.

“Napsiah will be laid to rest before the Zohor prayers tomorrow at the Jalan Melang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Pilah,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Born in Kuala Pilah, Napsiah was educated at Sekolah Melayu Kuala Pilah, and later continued her secondary education at Sekolah Tunku Kurshiah, Sekolah Tunku Mohammad and the Telopean Park School, Canberra, Australia.

She later did her bachelor’s degree in zoology and botany at the Australian National University, Canberra , before pursuing her master’s degree in nutrition and education at Cornell University, New York.

Napsiah is survived by four children — Shahira, Mohamad Rizal, Shahrina and Norfizah. Her husband, Abdul Aziz Yahya, died in 1985.

Napsiah’s political career saw her joining the Kuala Pilah Umno branch in 1972 and contesting the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat in 1982. She held it for five terms until 2004.

She served as deputy housing and local government minister (1982), public enterprises minister (1987), national unity and social development minister (1990) and as Negeri Sembilan executive councillor (1995-1999).

In the 11th general election, Napsiah was not listed as a candidate.