Former Federation of National Writers Associations (Gapena) head Ismail Hussein died at 9.36pm last night at the University Malaya Medical Centre, believed to be due to old age.

Ismail, 82, leaves behind wife, Rugayah Abdul Rashid, and four children - two boys and two girls.

Gapena chief Prof Dr Abdul Latif Abu Bakar said Ismail was a well-known figure in Malay literature throughout the country for his writing.

“He was a soft-spoken man who was always lending a helping hand to others. In terms of leadership, he has successfully made Gapena renowned in the fight for Malay literature and culture in the country,” he said when contacted in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The late Ismail (left), who was also Universiti Malaya’s former head of the Malay Studies Department, was born on Jan 30, 1932 in Kampung Sungai Limau Dalam, Yan, Kedah and headed Gapena from 1971 to 2013.

His remains would be taken to the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Mosque in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, at 10am tomorrow and would be buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery at about 11am.

- Bernama