PETALING JAYA: Dr Syed Husin Ali, a PKR founding member who passed away at 88, is remembered as a principled man and a loving father.
His son, Muhammad Ali, said the late academic remained committed to his family responsibilities even when he was detained for six years under the then Internal Security Act (ISA).
“He always made time for his family. Even during his detention in Taiping when he was not able to be with us physically, he would make an effort.
“My interest in animals started with him. When he was detained, he would catch cicadas, dry them and mount them as a present for me during visits,” he said when met at Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kota Damansara here yesterday.
Muhammad Ali said his father had served his family and the nation well and pledged to continue sharing Syed Husin’s wisdom to uphold his legacy.
Syed Husin, who served as PKR advisory council deputy chairman, died at Hospital Selayang yesterday.
Former PKR vice president Chua Tian Chang fondly remembers Syed Husin as a friend, teacher and leader.
“I am deeply saddened by his passing. I managed to visit him in the hospital. He was a great figure in politics who held on to his principles,” he said when met after the funeral.
Chua recalled their early collaboration when Syed Husin brought him to Kampung Chubadak and introduced him to the community of squatters there, an experience that shaped his political foundation.
‘A great figure’: Syed Husin had also served as a senator in the Dewan Negara from 2009 to 2015 and as a professor at UM.
Former Sungai Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah urged Malaysians to read Syed Husin’s extensive body of work, emphasising his intellectual contributions beyond politics.
“We need to honour his memory not only for his political endeavours but also for his values and struggles. As an intellectual, the late Syed Husin wrote many books that we can learn from.
“He was a great example in upholding the principles to fight for the people and he served the public for so long,” he said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan also expressed his condolences, praising Syed Husin’s dedication to the people and the nation.
“We believe that the same feelings are also shared by many other parties for his services, contributions and noble personality throughout his life as an academic, thinker, social activist, politician, writer and even a friend,” he said in a statement.
Syed Husin was laid to rest around noon after funeral prayers at Masjid Kampung Tunku. He is survived by three children.
He was admitted to hospital on June 18 and it is understood that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last April.
Syed Husin was detained under the ISA for his involvement in the 1974 Baling protest.
At the time, farmers in Baling, Kedah, who were protesting the drop in rubber prices and higher living costs, were joined by thousands of students led by student activist Anwar Ibrahim.
Syed Husin was appointed PKR deputy president following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president from 1990 to 2003, and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.
The veteran academic also contested in three general elections between 1995 and 1999, contesting the Batu and Petaling Jaya Selatan seats but lost each time to Barisan Nasional candidates.
Among other roles, Syed Husin had served as a senator in the Dewan Negara from 2009 to 2015 and as a professor at Universiti Malaya.
