PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian leaders and the people have expressed their condolences at the passing of former Singapore president S R Nathan.

"My deepest condolences to the family of former Singapore president S R Nathan and the people of Singapore," said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in a message posted on his Twitter account on Tuesday (Aug 23).

Malaysia's Health Minister S. Subramaniam expressed his sadness at the death of Mr Nathan, whom he called "a good friend".

"We had many good discussions on the common history which binds Malaysia and Singapore together. He had many Malaysian friends and relatives and held those relationships very close to his heart. We have lost a great leader," he said.

The Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and the Singapore Consulate-General's office in Johor Baru have opened a condolence book from Tuesday until Friday to Singaporeans and Malaysians wishing to express their condolences to Mr Nathan and his family.

Many people have showed up at the Singapore Consulate-General's office in Jalan Wong Ah Fook in Johor Baru to sign the condolence book.

Among them was Johor Baru City Square shopping mall general manager and chief finance officer Catherine Quek.

"I came to know about the news of his passing on television, so the management team and I decided to pay our last respects after learning that a condolence book would be set up at the consulate," she said.

"I never met him in person but he always came across as an admirable man who always looked out for the people of Singapore," she added.

Singaporean G. Arron, 43, a sub-contractor for a local oil and gas company, described Mr Nathan as a humble and kind-hearted man.

"I saw him once at a Eurasian restaurant along Ceylon Road a few years ago and he seemed like a down-to-earth person," he said.