Former defence minister Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen dies

Former defence minister Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail died of old age at his residence in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, last night. He was 94.

The Umno veteran’s son, Tengku Farith, said his father suffered a stroke two weeks ago and was treated at a private hospital. He was later discharged.

“But this morning he experienced breathing difficulties before passing away,” he said when contacted by Bernama last night.

Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen’s remains were brought to the Federal Territory Mosque at Jalan Duta for prayers thism orning.

But Tengku Farith said no decision had been made on whether his father’s burial would be held at the National Mosque or Bukit Kiara cemetery.

Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, popularly known as “Ku Deen”, was defence minister from 1987 to 1990.

He was also appointed as a minister with special functions to assist Tun Abdul Razak in the foreign ministry in 1973, and minister of information and special functions in 1974.

He was subsequently appointed as foreign minister (1975) and trade and industry minister (1981) before being reappointed as foreign minister (1984) and then information minister (1986).

In 1970, he held the post of deputy defence minister before being made a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in 1972.

He was chairman of Umno’s discplinary board in 2001 and a member of the Supreme Council in 1987.