Jakim DG Paimuzi Yahya dies, his remains will be buried in Kuang

KUALA LUMPUR: The remains of Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Paimuzi Yahya, 59, who died of heart and lung complications at 1 pm today, will be laid to rest at the Batu 17 Muslim Cemetery, Kuang, Selangor later today.

Jakim’s Corporate Communications Unit chief Zakaria Othman said that the remains will be brought back to his residence first before taken to the Al-Islahiah Mosque, Batu 17 ¾ Kuang, for funeral rites.

“As at 3 pm, Datuk Paimuzi’s remains were on his way home from Sungai Buloh Hospital. According to his wife, he will be laid to rest at Batu 17 Muslim Cemetery, Kuang, Selangor.

“Tentatively the funeral prayer will be held after Asar prayer at Masjid Al-Islahiah Batu 17 ¾ Kuang, Selangor. Friends and acquaintances who want to pay their last respects can wait at the mosque and comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, through his official Facebook page, said that despite Paimuzi’s deteriorating health in the past few months, he remained active in chairing meetings and receiving visitors at his office.

“I offer my condolences to his family and pray they remain strong with this test. ‘InsyaAllah’ (God willing), his (Paimuzi’s) contribution to Islam and the country will be rewarded in the hereafter. Jazakumullahu khairal jaza’,” he said.

Zulkifli’s deputy Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, through a post on his Facebook page, said that Paimuzi’s passing was a great loss for the country.

“May Allah bless and forgive him, give perseverance to all his family members as well as Jakim’s big family ... He is a very good person,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAS Information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad, through his posting on Central PAS Facebook page, described Paimuzi as a great individual who contributed a lot to the administration and dakwah programmes in the country.

“I pray that that his family will be given strength in facing this test and may his soul be placed among the believers,” he said.

Paimuzi died at Sungai Buloh Hospital at about 1 pm today due to heart and lung complications.

With more than three decades of experience in Islamic affairs, Paimuzi held several posts, including Sabah Jakim director in 2005; Islamic Training Institute Malaysia director (2008); Darul Quran director (2010), Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) director (2013) and Jakim deputy director-general (Human Development) (2016).

In 2017, he was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council and a year later he was appointed as the Jakim deputy director-general (Operations).

--BERNAMA