Family members carry the coffin of Ani Arope during the funeral service.— Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Former executive chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad Tan Sri Dr Ani Arope died at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre, near here yesterday.
Ani, 82, died of prostate cancer at about 5.10am, according to his youngest son, Ismail, 42.
Born on May 17, 1932 in Sungai Bakap, Seberang Prai, Penang, Ani is survived by his wife, Puan Sri Saenah Ahmad and three children besides several adopted children.
His remains were taken to the TNB Islamic Centre in Bangsar for funeral prayers after Zohor before they were taken to Surau Seksyen 2, Shah Alam where funeral prayers were held again.
He was laid to rest at the Seksyen 21 Muslim Cemetery in Shah Alam.
Ani was TNB executive chairman from 1992 to 1996 besides having been chief executive of several private companies, a higher institution of learning and various organisations.
Among those who paid their last respects to Ani at the TNB Islamic Centre were Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and TNB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azman Mohd.
Meanwhile, Ismail said his father’s caring attitude was evident as he had more than 50 adopted children of various backgrounds and race.
“He has so many adopted children that even we don’t know (the actual figure). Some are overseas. He liked to provide assistance, especially financial, for them to further their studies,” he said.
He said Ani had hid his illness from family members and they only found out about it in 2010, when the cancer was at stage four.
“Since then we spent more time together and the best memory was performing umrah as a family in 2011,” he said.
Ismail added that his father always reminded them to serve the country, society and religion.
Ani has held the posts of Bank Simpanan Nasional chairman, Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd chief executive and Malaysia Rubber Research Institute director.
He was the first deputy director of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) from 1969-1972.
Ani has also served as chairman of the Mara Institute of Technology Council, chairman of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Board of Directors and chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). — Bernama