PETALING JAYA: The nation’s ninth Chief of Defence Force Jen (Rtd) Tun Mohamed Hashim Mohd Ali has passed away.
According to the Malaysian Armed Forces, Mohamed Hashim, who served as chief from 1987 to 1992, passed away at 11.52am at the age of 88 after being sent to the Gleneagles Hospital.
He will be laid to rest with full military honours.
He was also the brother to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mohamed Hashim leaves behind three children and five grandchildren.
“Jen (Rtd) Tun Mohamed Hashim Mohd Ali was born on April 10, 1937 in Ipoh, Perak. He trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom before returning to Malaysia and was commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment in 1955.
“As the Chief of Defence Force, he was remembered as a leader that brought huge changes to the nation’s defence policies.
“During his leadership, the country was undergoing a transitional period after the end of the communist insurgency.
“He was responsible for shifting the Armed Forces focus from internal operations to the creation of a modern conventional force,” the statement said.
It added that Mohamed Hashim had also strengthened regional defence relationships, including the Five Power Defence Arrangements and Asean partnership.
“After concluding his service in 1992, he remained active in the corporate and education sector, including as chairman of Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd.
“His remains will be placed at Masjid Khalid Al-Walid, at the Defence Ministry, for funeral prayers and will be laid to rest after Isyak prayers at Raudatul Sakinah Cemetery, Sungai Besi, with full military honours.
“His death is a huge loss to the country and the Malaysian Armed Forces. May his soul be showered with mercy and placed among His faithful servants,” the statement said.
