King, PM offer condolences
‘Abdul Aziz’s contributions to the country are much appreciated’
KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al- Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin have extended their condolences to the family of former Rural and Regional Development minister Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin ( pic).
Abdul Aziz, 82, died at 11.52pm on Friday and his demise was announced by the Malay Consultative Council in a post on its official Facebook page.
In a statement posted on Istana Negara’s Facebook page, His Majesty expressed sadness over the passing of Abdul Aziz and hoped that the family would be patient and strong in the face of adversity.
“His deeds and contributions to the people and the country are very much appreciated. May Allah bless his soul and place him among the righteous and the pious,” His Majesty said.
Muhyiddin said he knew Abdul Aziz personally and that he was a person who was dedicated in fighting for the well-being of the people and rural development.
“My family and I extend our condolences to the family of Allahyarham over the loss of their dearly beloved.
“Let us together pray that Allahyarham’s soul be blessed and that he may be placed among the righteous,” he said in a post on his official Facebook site.
Abdul Aziz was an active member of the council and had served as its Constitution and Consultative Bureau chairman.
His political career began when he joined Umno in Port Klang in 1969.
In 1975, he was appointed the Special Officer to the then education minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and then as Private Secretary (19811999) when the latter was made the country’s fourth Prime Minister.
Abdul Aziz was also the Shah Alam Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2008 and a former Umno Supreme Council member.
In Gopeng, Abdul Aziz’s eldest son, Mohd Nazasli, 52, said his father’s remains were bathed and shrouded and brought to the At-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur for the funeral prayers.
He said his father was laid to rest at the Gunung Mesah Muslim cemetery at 9.20am after the hearse carrying the remains arrived in Gopeng at 8.30am.
Mohd Nazasli said his father, who suffered from a heart ailment, breathed his last at the Ara Damansara Medical Centre.
“He was admitted to the hospital five weeks ago following a medical check-up,” he said.
Abdul Aziz leaves behind wife Puan Sri Rosmawati Abdul Ghaffar, two sons and two daughters.
Among those present at the cemetery to pay their last respects were the Prime Minister’s Political Secretary Saiful Adli Mohd Arshad and Orang Besar Jajahan Kampar, Toh Sedewa Raja Datuk Abdul Talib Abd Fahmi.