(Washington D.C.) The Board of Directors, members and staff of the US-ASEAN Business Council would like to convey their condolences to Prime Minister Najib Razak, the people and Government of Malaysia and the families of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis (JJ), Special Envoy to the U.S., and Dato Seri Azlin Alias, the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary. Tan Sri JJ and Dato Azlin were among the six people involved in a deadly helicopter crash today, April 4, 2015.
Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis (JJ) was a former Ambassador to the United States and was currently holding the post of Special Envoy to the United States. Aside from his foreign policy posts, he was the Chairman of 1Malaysia Peoples’ Housing (PR1MA), has been a Member of Parliament representing Rompin district in Pahang state in central Malaysia since 1990. He was elected to UMNO’s Supreme Council since 2000.
Since Prime Minister Najib took office in 2008, Tan Sri JJ was a driving force in improving diplomatic and business ties between Malaysia and the United States. He assumed the post of Ambassador to the United States in July of 2009, from which he tirelessly promoted U.S.-Malaysia relations. Following the end of the posting in February 2012, he maintained his commitment to the U.S.-Malaysia relationship through his position as Special Envoy to the U.S. and worked to strengthen the trade and economic relationship between our two countries.
Dato Azlin was the Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister since 2014. Prior to this posting, Dato Azlin was the Special Officer and an Advisor to the Prime Minister. He was a key supporter of the Council and frequently assisted with arranging meetings with Prime Minister Najib.
“Dato Azlin was always a great friend to American business and the Council,” stated Feldman. “He was instrumental in helping to arrange Prime Minister Najib’s many visits to the United States and engagements with the American business community. He will be greatly missed.”
Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis (JJ) was a former Ambassador to the United States and was currently holding the post of Special Envoy to the United States. Aside from his foreign policy posts, he was the Chairman of 1Malaysia Peoples’ Housing (PR1MA), has been a Member of Parliament representing Rompin district in Pahang state in central Malaysia since 1990. He was elected to UMNO’s Supreme Council since 2000.
Since Prime Minister Najib took office in 2008, Tan Sri JJ was a driving force in improving diplomatic and business ties between Malaysia and the United States. He assumed the post of Ambassador to the United States in July of 2009, from which he tirelessly promoted U.S.-Malaysia relations. Following the end of the posting in February 2012, he maintained his commitment to the U.S.-Malaysia relationship through his position as Special Envoy to the U.S. and worked to strengthen the trade and economic relationship between our two countries.
“We are saddened by the news of Tan Sri JJ’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to his family and the people of Malaysia,” said Evan Greenberg, Chairman of the Council’s Board of Directors and Chairman and CEO of ACE Group. “Tan Sri JJ will be remembered for his leadership role in the growth and deepening of the political, diplomatic and strategic relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia. He will be missed.”
“I had the great privilege of working with Tan Sri JJ for many years. He was a great friend of American business and a great counselor in helping to guide the U.S.-Malaysia relationship, especially since Prime Minister Najib took office,” said Alexander Feldman, President and CEO of the Council. “Tan Sri JJ will be remembered for his leadership role in the growth and deepening of the political, diplomatic and strategic relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia. The Members and staff of the US-ASEAN Business Council will most of all remember him as a friend whose energy and spirit will not be forgotten. He really raised the profile of Malaysia while he was Ambassador and played an important role during President Obama’s historic visit to Malaysia last year. We send our deepest condolences to his family and the people of Malaysia.”Dato Azlin was the Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister since 2014. Prior to this posting, Dato Azlin was the Special Officer and an Advisor to the Prime Minister. He was a key supporter of the Council and frequently assisted with arranging meetings with Prime Minister Najib.
“Dato Azlin was always a great friend to American business and the Council,” stated Feldman. “He was instrumental in helping to arrange Prime Minister Najib’s many visits to the United States and engagements with the American business community. He will be greatly missed.”