Former chief of defence forces Hashim dies, age 90

Former chief of defence forces General Hashim Ali died today, at the age of 90.

He breathed his last at 11.52am while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

The matter was confirmed by Chief of Defence Forces General Nizam Jaffar.

Hashim is the younger brother of Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, the wife of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Hashim was admitted to the hospital last Sunday due to a hypertensive brain bleed.

According to Nizam, Hashim’s remains will be taken to Masjid Khalid Al Walid at the Defence Ministry for the funeral prayers before being laid to rest with full military honours at Raudatul Sakinah Cemetery in Sungai Besi.

“May Allah bless his soul and place him among the righteous,” he said.

Hashim joined the Malaysian Armed Forces in 1957, holding various key positions before being appointed army chief in 1985.

He later became the 9th chief of defence forces of Malaysia in 1987 and retired in April 1992.

According to the Malaysian Armed Forces headquarters, Hashim was among the local sons who received training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom before returning home and being commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment in 1955.

After retiring from service in 1992, the Ipoh-born figure remained active in contributing to the corporate and education sectors, including serving as chairperson of Bumiputera-Commerce Holdings Berhad, the Malaysian Armed Forces said in a statement.

His distinguished leadership was also recognised through the conferment of various honours, including the Seri Setia Mahkota, which carries the title “Tun”, in 2022.

Hashim also played a significant role in the organisation of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, serving as chief executive in 1992 before being appointed executive chairperson of the games from 1997 to 1999.

- Bernama

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