KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia Airlines Bhd (now known as Malaysia Airlines) managing director Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman who died yesterday was a great servant of the airline, said former MAS chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid.
"He loved the airline and did a great job in managing it," he said, adding that Abdul Aziz persevered and never gave up in facing any challenges.
Dr Mohd Munir was met at the Saidina Umar Al Khattab Mosque at Bukit Damansara today where the funeral prayers will be held after the Zohor prayers.
He said Abdul Aziz was an outstanding worker during his era, and played a pivotal role in overseeing the airline when it began to grow.
“The challenges in managing the airline are much more different now, and the competition is far greater," he said.
Dr Mohd Munir said Abdul Aziz had to face the union to gather support from all the staff in making sure that the airline would perform at its best.
"By the time he left, the airline began to face greater challenges. However, the most important point was that he was a great servant of the airline," he iterated.
Former Communications and Multimedia minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek also came to pay his last respects.
Ahmad Shabery said Abdul Aziz's passing was a great loss to the nation.
"During his time, he managed the airline to great excellence," he said.
He added that he had met Abdul Aziz several months ago and the latter was still following the developments of the airline, giving his thoughts on why Malaysia Airlines was facing challenges, including losses.
“His heart is very much with the airline. This is a great loss to the nation and I am saddened by his death. There are still many ideas from him that we can pick up and learn from," he said.