Najib extends condolences to Rafidah Aziz

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak extended his condolences to former International Trade and Industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, on the passing of her husband, Tan Sri Mohamed Basir Ahmad, early this morning.

"I have extended my condolences to Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz on the demise of her husband early this morning. Al Fatihah," he said in his entry in his Twitter account @NajibRazak today.

The late Mohamed Basir, who was a former chairman of Maybank, died at the Singapore General Hospital at 3.51 this morning.

He leaves behind wife, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, the former International Trade and Industry Ministry, a son, two daughters and five grandchildren.

According to his son, Alfian, his body would be flown back to Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

He said his father was admitted to the hospital on Friday evening.

His remains would be brought back to Kuala Lumpur by air this afternoon and would be taken to Masjid Umar Al-Khattab, Bukit Damansara for prayers.

He would be buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery after Asar prayers.

Meanwhile, Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Husni Zai Yaacob, when contacted, said Mohamed Basir died of a heart attack and that the High Commission was making the necessary arrangements to fly the body back to Kuala Lumpur.

Mohamed Basir had served as Maybank chairman for 16 years, after joining Maybank as a Director on Aug 5, 1993 following his retirement after serving in Bank Negara Malaysia as an adviser since 1980.

He was appointed chairman on Oct 9, 1993.