THE first chairman of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) G.K. Rama Iyer died this morning. He was 88.

His daughter, Lavanya Rama Iyer, said the cremation will be held at the Jalan Kuari Municipal Crematorium in Cheras at noon on Thursday.           

“The cortege will leave the house in Ampang at 11am on the same day,” she said.           

Rama Iyer was MAS chairman from 1970 to 1973 after Malaysia Singapore (MSA) Airlines became two separate airlines. He was succeeded by Raja Mohar Raja Badiozaman.

Rama Iyer, who holds a Master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University, did much for the civil service under leading figures of the day, including the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman. His last post in government before his retirement was as secretary-general of the Primary Industries Ministry.          

Born in Penang, the Penang Free School alumni was also the first chairman of the Malaysian Airline System Bhd and founding director of the Malaysian International Shipping Corp Bhd (MISC), besides serving as director of CIMB Bank Bhd and its antecedents from 1987 to 2012.          

He leaves behind four children, two grandchildren and wife, Vijaya Rama Iyer. – Bernama, March 17, 2020.