KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak described the passing of Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad as a loss of a compatriot who had contributed significantly to the government, people and Umno.

“The confirmation that I received yesterday was the passing of Allahyarham Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad as a result of the AS 350 helicopter crash.

“I have lost a colleague in Umno who had contributed significantly to the government, people and our party Umno,” he said in his Facebook entry today.

The prime minister said he was with Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar’s family members at the Sarawak General Hospital yesterday and had expressed his condolences to the family.

“May his soul be placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” he said.

The late Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar was the Member of Parliament for Kuala Kangsar and Chairman of the Malaysian Oil Palm Board.

He had also served as the Bukit Chandan State Assemblyman previously.

Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar was among the six people involved in the helicopter crash in the Sebuyau area, Sarawak on Thursday.

His remains were laid to rest at the Kuala Kangsar Royal Mausoleum, Bukit Chandan today. — Bernama