Malaysia lost a 'gem' with the death of Syed Husin Ali

MALAYSIA lost one of its very few left-leaning thinkers when Syed Husin Ali died today the age of 87.

Born in Batu Pahat, Johor, in September 1936, Syed Husin was a towering figure in Malay politics and academia. He inspired many student activists to join politics, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Leaders on both sides of the divide paid tribute to Syed Husin, whom they called a reformist.

PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Syed Husin was a dedicated party member who never missed a party meeting.

"He was very disciplined; regardless of whether he agreed or disagreed with whatever was decided by the party, he would abide by the party's decision.

"Syed Husin will continue to be remembered as a friend, teacher and icon in the long struggle for justice," Saifuddin said.

Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Syed Husin's writings inspired many Malaysians throughout the years.

Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal called Syed Husin a "gem".

"Although he is known as one of the early founders of PKR, to me, his stature and contributions as a scholar of social studies, history, and leftist politics made him one of the gems of the nation," he said.

Prior to establishing PKR, Syed Husin was president of the now-defunct Parti Rakyat Malaysia from 1990 to 2001.

He was a full-time professor at the Universiti Malaya Anthropology and Sociology Department from 1985 to 1990.

He received his early education at the Government English School (1946-1953) and later attended English College in Johor Baru (1954-1955).

Syed Husin earned a PhD in sociology and anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK and bachelor’s and master's degrees from the University of Malaya in Singapore,.

Due to his activism and left-wing ideology, Syed Husin was detained without trial under the Internal Security Act for six years until his release in 1980.

Syed Husin was a senator, PKR deputy president, and Parti Rakyat Malaysia president but had never won an election.

As an author, Syed Husin wrote about 20 books. Among them are "The Malays: Their Problems and Future", "Poverty and Landlessness in Kelantan", "Two Faces: Detention Without Trial", "Syed Husin Ali: Memoirs of a Political Struggle", "The Malay Rulers: Regression and Reform", "Ethnic Relations in Malaysia: Harmony and Conflict", and "A People's History of Malaysia".

Syed Husin was married to Sabariah Abdullah, who died in 2013. They had three children.

His funeral was held today at the Kampung Tunku Mosque in Petaling Jaya. He was buried in the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery. – June 27, 2024.