Aizawl: Former Mizoram cabinet minister F Malsawma (78), who died of liver cancer and cirrhosis on Saturday evening, was accorded a grand funeral at the Chaltlang Presbyterian Church’s Centenary Hall in Aizawl on Sunday.A three-time minister, Malsawma is survived by his wife, Zoramthangi, and his two sons, including Vanlaldina Fanai, the present secretary to the CM, a daughter and nine grandchildren.Malsawma, a college teacher by profession, joined politics in 1975 when former CM Brigadier T Sailo invited him to become a leader of the People’s Conference (PC) during the insurgency period.He won the Suangpuilawn assembly seat in 1978 and was inducted as a cabinet minister in the Brigadier T Sailo govt. After the fall of the govt due to defections and resignations of some legislators, elections were again held in 1979, when Malsawma again won the polls from the same constituency and inducted as a cabinet minister.He later joined the Mizo National Front (MNF) and contested the state assembly elections from Aizawl North-2 seat, serving on the opposition bench during the term. He again won from the same seat in 1998 and was inducted as a cabinet minister, holding portfolios such as school education, law and judicial and parliamentary affairs, health and family welfare, tourism, information and public relations.He retired from active politics since 2015.
