He died at 12.35pm today at the Little Sisters of the Poor home for the elderly in Cheras where he had been under palliative care.

Fernandez was diagnosed with tongue cancer in November last year and had undergone immunotherapy and radiotherapy.

The wake will be at the community centre of the Cathedral of St John, Jalan Bukit Nanas, here tomorrow from noon to 9pm, and on Friday from 8am to 9pm.

Due to the lockdown, only 20 visitors are allowed at a time for 15 minutes each.

Those wishing to pay their last respects should register online at https://wake.archkl.org.

A notice by the Chancery of the Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur said a funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 10.30am.

The service is not opened to the public but will be live streamed over the AchKL YouTube channel: https://Tv.ArchKL.org .

Condolence messages can be posted in a web form at http://cardinal.archkl.org .

Everyone who knew Fernandez described him as an extraordinary leader of the Catholic church and a just, courageous and sincere man with a great pastoral heart.

They said he was also an amiable and lovable person, always with a smile.

Fernandez played a major role in inter-religious dialogue, serving as chair of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) from 2001 to 2003.

He professed the need to have a consensus in every decision and was a pivot in maintaining the unity of the council.

Born in Sungai Petani, Kedah, he began his 50-year career when he was ordained as a priest in Penang in 1966. Twelve years later, he became a bishop of the diocese.

Fernandez retired as the archbishop here in 2013 after a 20-year service and was made a cardinal by Pope Francis three years later.

His death leaves the College of Cardinals with 218 members.