PETALING JAYA: The mortal remains of PKR Advisory Council Deputy Chairman Syed Husin Ali were laid to rest at Kota Damansara Section 9 Muslim Cemetery at 11.15am on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, his remains were brought to the Kampung Tunku Mosque where they were bathed and shrouded. This was followed by a funeral prayer led by the mosque’s imam, Ustaz Ahmad Saad.
RIP Syed Husin Ali: Tributes Paid
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, senior political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, former Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa, former Batu MP Tian Chua and National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaafar were among those present to pay their respects to the veteran politician.
Son Remembers Syed Husin
Muhammad Ali, Syed Husin’s son, said his father was last April diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but due to his health and his old age, he was unable to receive intensive treatment.
“Our father lived a long life and made the most of his years. As a family, we accept his passing,” he told reporters after the burial.
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Muhammad Ali said that despite his active political life, Syed Husin was always concerned about the education of his children, even during his detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
“In fact, my interest in animals started with my father. He would collect ‘riang-riang’ (cicadas) (at the Kamunting Detention Camp) in Taiping. He knew I loved animals, so he dried and mounted them and gave them to me during visits.
“He imparted a lot of knowledge, and God willing, I will continue to share it through my interactions with others,” he said.
Unfortunate News
Earlier on Saturday morning, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil shared the news of Syed Husin’s demise early this morning on Facebook.
The octogenarian was admitted to Selayang Hospital on the second day of Hari Raya Aidiladha earlier this month, Fahmi said. Syed Husin Ali was reported to be in critical condition earlier this week.
Syed Husin Ali: Contributions and Legacy
“The deceased contributed a lot to the party and the rakyat and published a lot of books, including ‘Two Faces: Detention Without Trial,’ which chronicles his detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), as well as ‘Memoirs of a Political Struggle’, and got involved in many elections and struggles in the country’s political arena.
“Syed Husin’s views were much respected in the country, and the party leadership often referred to him. He was patient and soft-spoken, yet strict when it came to discipline, and gave a lot of advice, including to yours truly,” said Fahmi, who is also the government spokesperson.
Political Career
Syed Husin became vice-president of the PKR following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.
The former Universiti Malaya associate professor was detained under the now-abolished ISA from 1974 to 1980 for advocating for the struggles of impoverished farmers in Baling, Kedah.
He had since called on the government to apologise to all ISA detainees.
He had also urged the government to repeal controversial laws such as the Sedition Act and the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Election Participation and Written Works
Politically, Syed Husin Ali contested three elections to the Dewan Rakyat in the 1990s, but lost each time before serving in the Dewan Negara for two terms, from 2009 to 2015.
This father of three has written and edited around twenty books, including ‘The Malays: Their Problems and Future’, ‘Poverty and Landlessness in Kelantan’, ‘The Malay Rulers: Regression and Reform’, ‘Ethnic Relations in Malaysia: Harmony and Conflict’ and ‘A People’s History of Malaysia’.
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