Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid his last respects today to a senior police officer who died of a heart attack while performing security duty during his official visit to Malaysia.

Erdogan arrived at the residence of the late Razali Abu Hassan, 52, in Kuala Lumpur and was met by family members and top police officials.

Razali, who led the escort unit, suffered a heart attack while on duty at a dinner last night hosted by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar in honour of Erdogan.

Razali is survived by his wife, Mahani alias Annie Low, 50, three sons aged between 17 and 29, and three grandchildren.

"My father had been suffering from heart problems and frequently went to the National Heart Institute for treatment," his youngest son, Mohamad Rizzat, 17 was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Erdogan arrived in Kuala Lumpur Friday for a three-day official visit, accompanied by his wife, Emine, and a 200-member entourage including five ministers. He leaves Malaysia today for Pakistan.

During his visit, Erdogen urged Turkish and Malaysian businessmen to forge new and stronger economic ties such as in the reconstruction of Iraq since existing business links between the two countries was negligible. - AFP