KUALA LUMPUR:The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed appreciation for the services of the late director-general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Datuk Paimuzi Yahya to the Muslim community and the country.

Istana Negara in an official Facebook post informed that Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed sadness over Paimuzi’s passing, and hoped that the latter’s family remained strong in facing the sad situation.

"His Majesty prays for his soul to be blessed by Allah S.W.T, and placed among the righteous," said the statement.

Paimuzi breathed his last at the Sungai Buloh Hospital at about 1 pm today due to heart and lung complications.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in expressing his condolences, described the passing of Paimuzi as a great loss to the country, especially Islamic religious institutions.

“My family and I extend our condolences to his family over his passing.

“On behalf of the government, I would like to express gratitude for his services and devotion ,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.

Paimuzi, 59, who has more than three decades of experience in the Islamic affairs services, died at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

The Prime Minister, who is undergoing self-quarantine at home, also expressed his sadness as he was unable to pay his last respects to Paimuzi.

“Let us all pray that his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous,” he said.

-- BERNAMA