Ex-AirAsia chairman Pahamin Rajab passes away

PETALING JAYA: Former chairman of AirAsia Berhad Datuk Pahamin Rajab passed away from a heart attack while on a flight to London, United Kingdom, on Saturday (July 8) night.

The news was shared by Pahamin's son-in-law, actor Azhar Sulaiman via his social media page, reported Sinar Harian.

Azhar said Pahamin, 77, was on his way to attend his son's graduation ceremony in London.

"I am saddened to inform you that my father-in-law, Datuk Pahamin Rajab has just passed away.

"He just arrived in London and had a heart attack on the flight.

"Now my mother-in-law and son are in London," he said in a post on Instagram on Sunday (July 9) morning.

Azhar said that he and other family members would leave for London on Monday (July 10).

Pahamin, who was also the co-founder of AirAsia, had served in ministries and government agencies for over 30 years.

He was the non-executive chairman of AirAsia Bhd for seven years from 2001 to 2008.

Pahamin had held the position of secretary general in the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry from 1998 to 2001 and was previously the director-general of the road transport department from 1974 to 1998.