KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 19): IGB Real Estate Investment Trust (IGB REIT) announced the passing of its joint chief operating officer Daniel Yong Chen-I on Tuesday, due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Yong, a law graduate from the University of Bristol, England, had been an integral part of Mid Valley City Sdn Bhd (MVC) since 1999, initially joining as a member of the pre-opening retail development team.

He was later appointed as the executive director of MVC in 2003 and served as its chief executive officer, responsible for overseeing the management and operations of Mid Valley Megamall.

Additionally, Yong was also involved in the design and pre-opening of The Gardens Mall from 2004 to 2007.

In a statement, IGB REIT expressed its deepest condolences to Yong's family, requesting privacy during this difficult time.

"We kindly request that the privacy of the family be respected as they mourn the untimely loss of their loved one," the statement read.