KUALA LUMPUR:Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the nephew of the late Tun Rahah Mohamed Noah, has described her as a mother who was loving, caring, kind and patient.

Recalling some of his fondest memories of her, Hishammuddin said he was very close to Tun Rahah as she had taken care of him during his childhood years.

"When Tun Abdul Razak passed away, Tun Rahah was only 43. I admire her determination in bringing up her five sons, who are my cousins.

"I visited her quite often these past few months, most recently yesterday. I cannot express how sad I was when I was informed that she had passed away,” he posted on Facebook today.

Hishammuddin, who is the Foreign Minister, said he felt the loss as keenly as when he lost his mother, Tun Suhailah Mohamed Noah, who was Tun Rahah’s older sister, six years ago.

He also expressed his condolences to the entire family and his cousins, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, former CIMB chairman Datuk Mohamed Nazir, Datuk Ahmad Johari, Datuk Mohamed Nizam and Datuk Mohamed Nazim.

"Ya Allah, Ya Tuhanku, Yang Maha Penyayang Lagi Maha Pengampun (Most Gracious and Most Merciful), please forgive the sins of my aunt, accept her good deeds and place her among the righteous,” he prayed. 

Meanwhile, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also conveyed his condolences on the passing of Tun Rahah and prayed that she would be placed among the righteous.

Several political party leaders, including UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also prayed that her family would be given the strength to cope with the loss of their loved one.

"The entire UMNO fraternity and I would like to convey our condolences to Najib on the loss of his beloved mother. May she be placed among His most cherished and be rewarded with an abundance of peace,” said Ahmad Zahid.

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his condolences to Najib’s entire family and prayed for Tun Rahah to be blessed.

Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar represented the party in offering prayers for Tun Rahah.

"May Allah bless her soul, dignify her passing, accept all her good deeds, forgive her, and make heaven her abode and place her among the righteous,” Mahfuz said.

Upon news of her passing, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have been flooded with posts by Malaysians expressing their condolences to Tun Rahah’s entire family.

-- BERNAMA