Dr M offers condolences to late BJ Habibie's family

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is saddened by the loss of his old friend, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who died at the age of 83 on Wednesday (Sept 11).

Bacharuddin, or better known as BJ Habibie, served as the president of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999, during Dr Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister.

“He is my good friend, so I feel very sad. He must have been very sick; I haven’t seen him in a long time.

“I offer my condolences to his family, ” said Dr Mahathir to reporters after attending Binary University’s 35th anniversary gala dinner here.

Earlier on his Twitter account, Dr Mahathir described BJ Habibie’s death as “a big loss”.

BJ Habibie died of heart failure at Jakarta's Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital on Wednesday.