JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 17 — Former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don passed away at his family residence in Jalan Tengah, Stulang Bahru earlier today, aged 77.
His widow Puan Sri Hamidah Mohamed, 57, said he passed away at 1.55am due to multiple organ failure.
Ahmad's body was brought for prayers to Surau Darussalam in Kampung Stulang Bahru at 9am.
"He passed away peacefully, and the family was with him.
"The funeral arrangements went smoothly, and he was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Sungai Danga at around 11am," she told Bernama today.
Hamidah said her husband had faced various health issues, including heart problems, hypertension, and diabetes, and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for water in the lungs last year.
The late Ahmad was appointed as the fifth governor of Bank Negara Malaysia in May 1994, succeeding Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, and served until August 1998.
With extensive experience in finance and banking, the father of seven also served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Maybank from 1991 to 1994 and had served as Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd's board of directors' chairman since 2017.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his deep sorrow over the death of his friend.
In a Facebook post, he cited Ahmad's tenure as Maybank's CEO from 1991 to 1994.
"I was deeply affected when I received the news that my close friend Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don had died late last night.
"I pray for strength for his family during this difficult time, and may his soul be forgiven by Allah and be granted the best place by Him," Anwar said.
Ahmad’s eldest son, Shahril Hafiz, 48, was quoted as saying that his father was brought back to their home in Kampung Stulang Baru, Majidee in Johor Bahru, from Kuala Lumpur at 8pm yesterday before the latter passed away at 1.55am.
The deceased was admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in the capital about two weeks ago due to heart complications.
— Bernama
