From sports television personalities to former teammates and politicians, everyone expressed their shock and sadness on social media.
Football commentator and presenter John Dykes, who worked with Shebby on Astro SuperSport in the early to late 2000s, expressed his remorse over the demise of his friend and colleague.
“Utterly devastated to hear that my friend and colleague Shebby Singh is no longer with us. Rest In Peace Shebs,” he said.
StarSports television presenter Andy Penders described the late Shebby as a true footballer who was gentle and passionate.
Former Singapore international Fandi Ahmad, who with Shebby helped the legendary Kuala Lumpur team win every major domestic honour in the 1980s, also lamented the loss of a good friend.
“I am very sad to hear of the shocking news.
“Shebby was a good friend. He was very friendly and jovial, and very good at motivating others. He was a good player and a good talker who gave clear instructions on the field,” Fandi was quoted as saying by Singapore Straits Times.
Meanwhile, Johor Darul Takzim FC, or JDT, with which Shebby had strong ties, expressed their “shock to learn of the passing of former JDT Technical Advisor and Johor FA & Malaysia player Serbegeth Singh”, expressing their deepest sympathy to his family.
Shebby was also fondly remembered by several local politicians, including former prime minister Najib Razak, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, MIC president SA Vigneswaran and Padang Terap MP Mahdzir Khalid.
Vigneswaran called him a “multi-talented footballer, coach and pundit”.
“His passing is a great loss to the football fraternity.”
Mahdzir said the country lost another footballing legend, one who knew how to control the game, while Najib said he used to enjoy watching Shebby on television and liked what he had to say on the game.
Syed Saddiq said Malaysia lost one if its greatest treasures who had devoted his entire life to the local football industry.
“You will be missed,” the former youth and sport minister tweeted.
Iskandar Puteri district police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said that Shebby was believed to have died from a heart attack while out cycling.
Shebby leaves behind two children, Natassha Kaur and Sonuljit Singh.
After making his international debut in 1982, Shebby was a key member of the national team for nine years, representing Malaysia in the Asian Games in 1982, 1986 and 1990. He also helped Harimau Malaya to a SEA Games gold medal in 1989 and a bronze medal in the 1985 SEA Games.
He donned the Malaysian kit 61 times, playing his final game against England in a friendly at Stadium Merdeka in 1991.
On the local front, Shebby played for his home state of Johor as well as Kuala Lumpur, where he achieved his greatest success as a player winning every major domestic honour.
In June 2012, Shebby was appointed as a global adviser for Blackburn Rovers, which was then in the second tier, English League Championship.
Over the past 24 years, Shebby had also been a regular football pundit on TV, working with Astro SuperSport, Fox Sports and ESPN Asia.