KUALA LUMPUR: Versatile artiste Jaafar Onn died at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah Serdang at 11.30 am today. He was 73.

News of his death was confirmed by his adopted son Mohamad Hanif Hashim, through a WhatsApp voice message.

“Assalamualaikum, I regret to inform that Papa has passed away a while ago,” he said.

The news of the actor’s passing was also shared by his close friend Haiza Hanafi, who is also a celebrity, on her Facebook page today.

“Innalillahiwainailaihirojiun…Goodbye, Papa Jaafar Onn. I bear witness to all the good deeds he did. The knowledge he imparted and the sustenance he shared. Grant him a place in your heaven, Ya Rabb…Alfatihah…,” she said in the posting.

The media had previously reported that the veteran host and actor’s health had deteriorated to the point where he needed a wheelchair to move around.

Yesterday, Jaafar, whose full name is Jaafar Onn Awang, was reported to be in critical condition after experiencing rectal bleeding and having a low haemoglobin level.

-- BERNAMA