The Malaysian Insight

ONE of Malaysia’s leading corporate figures, Muhammad Ali Hashim, died at KPJ Damansara Hospital of cancer at 4pm today.

It was understood the he had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past two months.

“He was hospitalised due to cancer but his family is not keen to disclose what type of cancer,” said Zurina, an assistant to Ali’s son, Alia, when contacted.

Ali will be buried tonight at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery while the funeral prayers will be held at Masjid At-Taqwa TTDI in Kuala Lumpur.

Ali made a name for himself by making Johor state investment arm Johor Corporation one of the most respected local corporations, with at least 280 subsidiaries, as its chief executive officer between 1982 and 2010.

Among the household names under Johor Corporation include KFC Holdings Malaysia Bhd and QSR Brands Bhd, which own fast-food chains like KFC, Pizza Hut and Ayamas in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia and India.

Private healthcare provider KPJ Healthcare Bhd is also a subsidiary of Johor Corporation, with 25 specialist hospitals nationwide.

He was also a former president at the Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (DPIM) and founder of the first Islamic corporate endowment fund in Malaysia, Waqaf An-Nur Corporation.

The endowment fund has more than RM800 million worth of assets as of last year.

He completed a Bachelor’s degree in economics at University of Malaya in 1969 and has received several honorary doctorates from local universities.

Ali had also penned books on business and economics, such as Strategi Jihad Bisnes (2015) and Khalifah Ganti Superman (2011).

He received the national Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah award for his contributions to the field of entrepreneurship and the ummah economy in 2007. – October 31, 2017.