Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak described the late Abdul Aziz Tapa as a Malay fighter who had made significant contributions.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said the nation had lost another warrior with the death of Abdul Aziz at Hospital Putra, Malacca, at 11.55am today.

"Innalillahiwainnailaihirajiun. Received sad news, noted Malay figure Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa had just left us.

"(My) condolences to his family, let us all pray together that his soul is placed with the faithful. Al-Fatihah," said Najib through his official Facebook page today.

Abdul Aziz, 93, was born in Kampung Rim, Jasin, on June 13, 1923, a teacher before he entered politics in 1946 when he joined the 'Pergerakan Melayu Semenanjung Johor', a movement that was against the Malayan Union and led by Onn Jaafar.

He had held important posts in Malacca Umno and Barisan Nasional including as chairperson of the Malacca Umno Veterans Bureau, Malacca BN treasurer, permanent chairperson of the Jasin Umno division and Jasin Umno division deputy head.

He became a senator from 1975 to 1977 and state assemblyperson for Nyalas in 1978 and Rim assemblyperson in 1982.

In recognition of his struggles for the Malays, Abdul Aziz was conferred the award 'Tokoh Melayu Terbilang Umno 2016' at the 70th anniversary of Umno on May 12.

- Bernama