Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, former ambassador and co-founder of the G25 group, has passed away at the age of 76.
G25 executive secretary Jasmine Zulkifli confirmed the matter when contacted, saying that she received the news on Thursday (June 27) afternoon.
“Noor Farida had been hospitalised for several weeks,” said Jasmine, adding that funeral prayers will be held at Masjid Kampung Baru followed by burial at the Jalan Ampang cemetery on Thursday.
Farida had a distinguished career in the civil service for 36 years, serving as a judge, legal adviser and diplomat.
She served as the Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands from 2000 to 2007. Later, she became the director-general of Wisma Putra’s research, treaties and international law department.
Farida also headed the law reform committee at the National Council of Women Organisations.
On Jan 3, 2019, she was appointed as chairperson of the Human Resources Development Fund.
However, her tenure was cut short after the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed in February 2020.
She was then replaced with Nelson Renganathan, the chairperson of an international school as well as several other businesses.
Farida was renowned for advocating moderation and for co-founding G25, the group of prominent retired civil servants.