Architect of Rukunegara dies at 90

The father of the Rukun Negara, Dr Agoes Salim, passed away at Ampang Puteri Hospital on Friday (March 15). He was 89.

SHAH ALAM: Dr Agoes Salim (pic), the first secretary-general of the National Unity Ministry, breathed his last at Hospital Ampang Puteri.

Agoes, who was to have turned 90 next month, died yesterday due to old age.

His son, Omar Salim, said prayers were held at Masjid Jamilul Huda in Ampang and the remains brought to Port Dickson yesterday for burial.

“He passed away peacefully with family and friends beside him. He contributed greatly to the country during the era of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein (Malaysia’s second prime minister),” he was quoted as telling Sinar Harian.

Agoes, a former economist renowned for his contributions to the formulation of the Rukunegara and New Economic Policy (NEP), was a pivotal figure in Malaysia’s development journey. He was also former chairman of Bank Pertanian.