SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: The family of Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam has appealed to the people to stop spreading rumours that the 58-year-old Gerakan vice-president had committed suicide.

Jothiratnam, 49, said his brother had everything to live for as he was successful and was a doting father.

"It is pure nonsense to suggest that my brother committed suicide.

"He had gone to the top floor because he was planning to do some renovations for both his house and some sections of the four-storey shoplot. The police also found a measuring tape on the rooftop," he said.

Newspaper offices have been inundated with calls asking if it was true that Dr Vijaya- ratnam, who was former Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry parliamentary secretary, had taken his own life.

On Monday, Dr Vijayaratnam fell from the rooftop of his shoplot in Jalan Tunku Hassan.

He arrived at his clinic at about 11am and 30 minutes later went to inspect the second floor as some parties had expressed interest to rent it.

Preliminary police investigations re- vealed that the father of four slipped and fell to his death.

Dr Vijayaratnam, who was not seeing patients for the day, also had an appointment with a contractor to carry out renovation work at his house at noon.

Dr Vijayaratnam's widow, T. Anucia who turned 50 yesterday, was distraught and did not wish to be interviewed.

Jothiratnam said they were waiting for the return of Dr Vijayaratnam's two older daughters from abroad before they going ahead with the funeral.

State police chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Osman Salleh said the case has been classified as sudden death.

Dr Vijayaratnam will be cremated at the Jalan Templer crematorium at 4pm tomorrow. The cortege will leave his home in Jalan Dato Kelana Ma'amor at 3pm.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was saddened and shocked by the death of Dr Vijayaratnam.

He said Anucia and family had lost a loved one while Gerakan lost an experienced leader.

"He was a Barisan Nasional leader who was respected by all members of society," Abdullah said in a statement.