Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed condolences to the family of legendary actor-director Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin who died yesterday.

"Sad to receive news of the passing of Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin. Condolences to the family. May his soul be blessed. Al Fatihah," he said in a post on his Twitter account last night.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also in a Twitter message, offered his condolences to the family.

"My condolences to the family of the late TS Jins Shamsuddin. May his soul be blessed. His contributions will be remembered for all time. Al Fatihah," he tweeted.

Jins died upon arrival at a clinic in Taman Melawati after he was rushed there when he complained of difficulty breathing while having tea at home at 5.45pm. He was 81.
Jins is survived by his wife, Puan Sri Halijah Abdullah, and three sons, Putera Jefri Jins, Putera Hang Jebat and Putera Hang Nadim.

Jins, whose real name was Mohamed Zain Shamsuddin, was greatly honoured by the government with the appointment as a senator for two terms, from 2004 to 2011, to represent the film community. He was the first actor to be accorded that status.

In addition, the actor, who was born in Taiping, Perak, was also conferred the Seniman Negara (National Artiste) award by the government in 2009 for his contribution to the development of the national film industry. -- Bernama