PETALING JAYA, Oct 13 — Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye (pic) who set up Malaysia Airlines, which was then known as Malaysian Airline System, passed away here yesterday, aged 81.

Born in 1935 in Kuala Lumpur, Saw was educated at the Penang Free School and pursued his higher studies at the University of Malaya in Singapore (now the National University of Singapore).

He started his career in the civil service, and served in various capacities including assistant state secretary of Perak, chairman of the Taiping Town Council, and Transport Ministry deputy secretary-general before retiring from the civil service in 1971.

The same year Saw was invited by the Malaysian government to set up the national carrier, where he served as its first general manager. 

He laid the foundation for the national airline’s later successes. He was succeeded by Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman in 1982.

The wake will be held in Room 22 of the second floor at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Sungai Besi. Those wishing to pay their last respects may do so between 6pm and 11pm from today to Saturday. The cortege departs for the Shah Alam Crematorium at 9am on Sunday.