KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the passing of senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram was a massive loss to the legal fraternity and Malaysia.
She said Sri Ram, who was also a former federal court judge, had contributed immensely to the judiciary and the fraternity as a whole.
"Sri Ram contributed greatly to the Malaysian judiciary during his time at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
"He served as a Court of Appeal judge for 15 years before being elevated as the Federal Court judge.
"His demise is a great loss to the judicial fraternity," she said in a statement.
Sri Ram, 79, was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital here last week for a lung infection.
He was the lead prosecutor in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) corruption trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He was also leading the prosecution of Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in cases involving corruption in a hybrid-solar power project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak and money laundering amounting to RM7 million.