Prime Minister of Malaysia conveys condolences to the family members of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India

Kuala Lumpur, July 28 (Bernama)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday conveyed his condolences to the family and friends of India's former president Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who died on Monday. "His passing is a loss to the scientific community," Najib said in his latest tweet.  Dr Abdul Kalam died after he collapsed while delivering a lecture in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, at about 9 pm (11.30 pm in Malaysia).  He was 84.  Initial reports by the local media said he had suffered a cardiac arrest.  The former president collapsed during the lecture at the Indian Institute of Management and was rushed to hospital where he died two and a half hours later.  Born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Abdul Kalam was India's 11th president, serving from 2002 to 2007.  He was also known as the 'missile man' of India for having envisioned India as a superpower nation by 2020.  He had also contributed significantly to the betterment of children and women by promoting literacy among the hardcore poor.

- Bernama