Image: the late Brig Gen (Rtd) Mohd Ali bin Ibrahim

Ali was an outstanding sportsman. He represented Malaysia at the Bangkok Asian Games in the 70s and was a member of the winning 400 meters relay quartet. Played rugby, hockey and football for Armed Forces.

In the late 60s and early 70s Ali was one of the top middle distance runners in the country. His forte, the 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,500 meters. In the mid to late 1960s, Ali was the student champion in the 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,500 meters and held the Malaysian School Boys 1500 meters record for a number of years. Used to meet him at the Perak Combined Schools Sports in the mid-60s when I was still a student.

Ali is survived by his wife. Pn Gayah, and his two children - a boy and a girl. Ali's hometown is Selama Perak and was schooled in Taiping before joining Boys' Wing RMC in 1965. At the time of death he was 58 years old.

Ali joined 6 Ranger on commissioning in 1971 and was later posted to 2 Ranger under Col Zain Daud and was my IO when I was the Adjt. He was 2IC 9 Ranger in 1984 and CO 10 Ranger in 1990. He took both appointments from me.

That's the best I can remember of Ali Ibrahim. May Allah Bless his soul - Lt Col(Rtd)Fatholzaman Bukhari

Image from L to R: Brig Gen Zulkifli, Lt Col (Rtd) Fathol and the late Brig Gen (Rtd) Ali Ibrahim.

I did hear about the then, Major Ali Ibrahim, when I first joined 7th Rangers. 2Lt Wong Heng Ging used to tell us that he was a great athlete, when he was serving with the Seventh. I got to meet him a few years later, when he visited 7th Rangers. I had just been appointed as the the Platoon Commander of the 7th Rangers Unit Combat Intelligence Squad. I met him that afternoon for the first time at the Officers Mess in Bukit Cina, Kelantan. I greeted him, saying that I had heard alot about him and that I was honoured to meet him. To which he replied, "Are you the unit doctor?" As I was a bespectacled subaltern.

I got to see him quite a number of times after that. The last time I saw him was about two months ago in the Gunung Rapat Area in Ipoh. I received the sad news of his demise via sms, on the 2nd April 2008. Apparently the General was struck by a heart attack. Most of us were shocked. The prayers for him and the funeral were held at the Suvla Camp Lines of the 2nd Rangers. Alot of us serving and ex-Rangers were in attendance. He was buried in the new Muslim Cemetry along the way to the Gua Kek Lok Tong Cave Temple. Sir, we will miss you and may God bless you, rest in peace-edit.