Former Maybank chairman laid to rest

Former Maybank chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Basir Ahmad was laid to rest at 5.45pm at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery, here today.

Earlier, his remains arrived at the Subang Royal Malaysian Air Force Base from Singapore at 2.55pm and was taken to Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab in Bukit Damansara, here for prayers.

Mohamed Basir, 75, who was the husband of former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, died at 3.51am at the Singapore General Hospital due to a heart attack.

According to his brother-in-law, Datuk Azman Aziz, Mohamed Basir and his family were on vacation in the neighbouring country.

"On Friday, my brother-in-law collapsed after suffering breathing difficulty and was rushed to the Singapore General Hospital for treatment," he said when met by reporters at the mosque.

Those who paid their last respects to Mohamed Basir at the mosque included former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, and International Trade and

Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad.

Azman said Mohamed Basir was treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital at 11pm on the same day but died this morning.

Mohamed Basir had served as Maybank chairman for 16 years, beginning as director on Aug 5, 1993 after serving as Bank Negara Malaysia since 1980.

He leaves behind wife Rafidah, son Alfian, two daughters Rohaiza and Rohaila as well as five grandchildren.