KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has offered his condolences to the family of former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram who died this afternoon.

Anwar in a Twitter post wrote, “Condolences to the family of the late Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram on his passing. May his family affairs be made easier, and the family stay strong and resilient in the face of this sad news.”

Criminal lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu had also offered his condolences.

“He was a great lawyer and judge. Needless to say his amazing dedication and conviction to legal jurisprudence. At times very combative, such is his nature. May God bless his soul,” he said in a brief statement to Malay Mail.

Human rights lawyer and Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan also expressed thanks and gratitude to Sri Ram on his Twitter page.

“Sad to hear of the passing of retired Federal Court Judge Gopal Sri Ram,” he wrote.

“He was always friendly to me when we met in Court (when he was back in practice) or during talks/lectures. Always willing to impart snippets of his substantial knowledge of the law.

“Thank you sir.”

Reminiscing about her encounters with Sri Ram, human rights lawyer and activist Siti Kasim expressed her gratitude as well for past assistance extended by Sri Ram.

“I am deeply saddened to hear Gopal Sri Ram has passed away. My deepest condolences to his family. I remembered he offered to be my Counsel for my case when I was maliciously charged in court pro-bono. I have Suzana Norlihan at that time. A man with a good heart. I shall miss him,” she wrote.

The veteran lawyer and senior deputy public prosecutor was 79.

Deputy public prosecutor, Mohamad Mustafa P. Kunyalam had earlier confirmed the news to Bernama.

“Yes, confirmed. He died at 12.15pm today in a private hospital here,” he said when contacted.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur last week for a lung infection.

Sri Ram was the lead prosecutor for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case involving Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He was also the lead prosecutor for the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid project corruption case involving Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.