US Embassy pays tribute to Jamaluddin, flag at half-mast
BY LOOI SUE-CHERN
Published: 5 April 2015 2:24 PM
Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis with US President Barack Obama in the White House in this undated picture. Jamaluddin died in a helicopter crash in Semenyih yesterday. – Pic courtesy of US Embassy, April 5, 2015.The United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur offered its condolences to the family and friends of Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Semenyih yesterday.
On its Facebook page, the embassy paid tribute to Jamaluddin, who was Malaysia's special envoy to the US, with a photo showing the US flag flying at half-mast today at its premises.
The post came with a message that read: "In memory of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, a friend of the United States who helped strengthened the relationship between our two countries. #halfmast".
Yesterday, following news of the tragedy, the embassy posted about 10.30pm that US ambassador Joseph Yun had extended his condolences on behalf of the United States government.
The embassy credited Jamaluddin, who was Malaysia's ambassador to the US from July 2009 to February 2012, for his "tireless dedication" to advance Malaysia's interests by enhancing relations with the US.
"The strengthening of our bilateral relationship owes much to his creativity, energy and vision. His commitment and dedication to the partnership will be sorely missed," the post said.
Below the post was an undated picture of Jamaluddin in traditional Malay clothing posing for a photo with US President Barack Obama in the White House.
Jamaluddin was on board the AS365N2 Dauphin helicopter from Pekan, where he had attended the wedding reception of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's daughter, with five others, including the PM's principal private secretary Datuk Seri Azlin Alias.
The helicopter went down after a mid-air explosion in a rubber smallholding on Jalan Sungai Lalang, Kampung Pasir Baru, Semenyih about 4.55pm. –
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