KUALA LUMPUR: Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar did everything by the book, his son said.
"As the IGP, he was a firm and no-nonsense individual," said Captain (Rtd) Abdul Rahmat Omar.
"However, he always considered the views not only of his officers but also those of lower ranks.
"I used to follow him to his workplace, back when I was in secondary school. When he talked to those of lower ranks, he genuinely wanted to know their problems.
"Then he would discuss the matters raised by them with his officers.
"He is a by-the-book person," Rahmat said at Masjid Negara.
Hanif, the country's longest-serving IGP, died at 2.15am today due to kidney disease.
He became the fourth IGP at the age of 35, replacing Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Hashim, who was gunned down by two assassins.
Hanif's remains were taken to Masjid Negara at 11.05am for bathing and shrouding.
Funeral prayers were held after Zohor, attended by 1,000 people.
Previously, it was reported that Hanif would be buried at Makam Pahlawan.
However, the family requested that he be buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery.
His son Ahmad Jamal Omar Mohd Hanif was buried at the cemetery in 2013.
IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain described Hanif as a legend in the police force.
"The late Tan Sri Hanif was firm, wise and efficient in making decisions.
"To me, he was a legend in the police force and throughout his service, he helped ensure the security of the nation, as well as the welfare of officers and members of the force," Razarudin said.
He added that both he and his father had served under Hanif.
Razarudin started off as an inspector and rose to assistant superintendent of police in about 10 years.
A year into his tenure as IGP, Hanif established the elite counter-terrorism unit, the Special Actions Unit, on Jan 1, 1975.
He also played a pivotal role in the rescue of hostages in the AIA incident in August of the same year.