20/107 (NSTP)  - TAIPING: Tan Sri Basir Ismail, one of the country’s leading corporate figures, died early yesterday.

Basir, 80, used to head Bank Bumiputra, Petronas, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and, more recently, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

He suffered from lung fibrosis and died about 5am after a week at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

He leaves his 65-year-old wife Datin Seri Hamidah Abdul Rahman, four children and 10 grandchildren.

"It was his wish that he be buried at the Muslim burial ground here in Simpang as this was his hometown," said his eldest son.

The burial ground is next to the Ikhwaniah mosque, which Basir founded.

Those who paid their last respects included former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and Datin Seri Kamariah Mokri representing her husband Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Perak state assembly speaker Datuk Mat Isa Ismail and state financial officer Datuk Jamalludin Al Amini.

Observers noted that Basir, who was presented the special Maal Hijrah award by Perak Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah last year, died on the eve of Maal Hijrah.

Basir wore many hats during his lifetime, from his early days of heading the Johor Agriculture Department and establishing Johor’s state economic development corporation to bringing to Malaysia the world-class Formula One circuit.

He was appointed Bank Negara director in 1978.

He was also formerly the chairman of Lembaga Padi dan Beras and the Rubber Growers Association before being appointed Petronas director in 1984 and later its chairman for seven years from 1988.

From 1985 to 1990, Basir was executive chairman of Bank Bumiputra.

As adviser to the Transport Ministry, he helped form Ma- laysia Airports Holdings Bhd and built the Sepang International Circuit, hosting the first five races.

Basir was also Universiti Malaya council chairman and board chairman from 1987-1993 and 1993-2003 respectively.19/1/07 (The Star)  - TAIPING: Former Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Tan Sri Basir Ismail died of a heart attack in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. He was 79.

Basir, who was also former Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd executive chairman and Kumpulan Fima chairman, died at 5.30am Friday at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

He leaves behind a wife Puan Sri Hamidah binti Abdul Rahman, a son and three daughters.

Basir, who would have turned 80 next month, was later buried at the Ikhwaniah Mosque cemetery in Simpang near here.

Although Basir had wanted his funeral to be a private and low-key affair, many people attended his funeral on Friday.

They included former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, Perak state assembly speaker Datuk Md Isa Ismail, state Financial Officer Datuk Jamalludin Al Amini Ahmad and Datin Seri Kamariah Mokri, the wife of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Basir's son Ahmad Riza said it had been his father’s final wish to be buried at his hometown