PM Najib Describes Tunku Abdul Jalil As A Humble Soul

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak described the son of the Ruler of Malaysia's southern state Johor, the late Tunku Laksamana Johor Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim as a humble, friendly and approachable person. "Innalillahiwainnailaihirajiun. It is with a heavy heart and sadness that I share his passing with Johoreans. The late Tunku Jalil was full of humility and ever friendly with people," he said in his Facebook entry Sunday. He said Tunku Jalil's passing at such a young age was a great loss to not only the people of Johor, but the nation at large. "To Allah We Belong and To Him We Will Return." "I was in Johor a short while ago to attend the funeral of the late prince. Let us continue to recite the Al-Fatihah and offer its rewards to him. May Allah bless his soul," he wrote. Tunku Abdul Jalil, 25, died at 7.11 pm on Saturday at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, here. Meanwhile, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and wife, Ho Ching have expressed their deepest condolences to the Johor royal family following the passing Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim, Saturday night. Through his official Facebook page, Lee also expressed regrets of not being able to attend the wake due to the People's Action Party's (PAP) convention on Sunday. "Ho Ching and I are saddened by the passing of His Highness Tunku Abdul Jalil, son of the Sultan of Johor Ibrahim Iskandar and his wife Permaisuri Raja Zarith. "Tunku Jalil was loved for his compassion, his charitable work, and his passion for the environment and animals. "I remember Tunku Jalil telling us about his volunteer work at the Singapore Zoo and how he enjoyed his walks in our Singapore Botanic Gardens," he said, adding that his thoughts were with them (Johor royal family) and the people of Johor during this time of grief. Lee will be represented by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean, and Home Affairs and Law Minister, K. Shanmugam. On a separate development, A pall of sadness fell on Istana Besar (Grand Palace), as hundreds of people gathered and lined up Sunday morning to pay their last respects on the late Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim, whose remains were placed in the Throne Room of the palace. Muslim women who came to pay their last respects were seen clad in white baju kurung and head cover, and teamed with dark batik sarong, and the men in white baju Melayu, black kain samping and songkok with white band around it. As for the non-Muslim women, they came in white blouse and black skirt, and the men in dark suit with tie or white band on the left arm. Palace officials and members of the Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri Johor, the state's military force, were stationed at each corner of the palace grounds to see that the visitors observed the code of conduct and attire. When cleared, they were allowed to go up the main staircase of the palace on the right side before the conduct of paying last respects was explained to them by some palace officials. The were also advised to put their mobile phones on silent mode and given about one minute to file past the coffin bearing the remains of Tunku Abdul Jalil and for the Muslims, to also say their doa (prayers), before leaving the Throne Room. The coffin, placed in the centre of the Throne Room was covered with a Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) and a police cap and sword placed on top of it. Closeby, a group of men from the Johor Islamic Religious Council recited the Quran and Yassin for the late prince. Outside the palace gate, more people were seen waiting for their turn to enter the palace while the cars of dignitaries were seen entering and leaving the palace grounds since early morning. Fatimahzahrah Abdul Ghani, 69, was among those who came to pay their respects on the late Tunku Abdul Jalil. Fatimahzahrah, who took the bus alone to get to the palace, said Tunku Abdul Jalil had a common touch and the last time she met the prince was at an Aidilfitri open house in Istana Pasir Pelangi this year, where she had the opportunity to "salam" (shake hand) with him. Meanwhile, the Johor state flag was seen flying at half mast at every state government building as a mark of respect for the Tunku Laksamana Johor. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA