KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has paid tribute to the late Syed Husin Ali by describing the latter as his friend, mentor, and a great teacher.
In a Facebook post yesterday, he reminisced on the vast knowledge, valuable references, and wisdom shown by the Parti Keadilan Rayat advisory panel deputy chairman, which was evident through lectures when Husin served as a professor at Universiti Malaya (UM).
“I still remember the many classes and lectures that I attended while studying at UM. It was filled with knowledge that came with messages urging the need for integrity and was critical in nature when questioning the status quo of issues that involve the community, especially matters that call for fairness and equality,” Anwar said.
He said Husin’s legacy is immense and comprises a wide scope, not only in academics but as an icon in social science, writing, and as a thinker, which was evident as he shared his passion with the late national laureate Datuk Usman Awang, especially by playing a leading role as president of the National Writers’ Association of Malaysia.
Speaking as Keadilan’s president, Anwar added that Husin was also an individual who championed the cause of the poor, fought for the party, solidified his commitment to justice and fought for the future of the nation.
“Syed Husin was resilient in fighting for the poor, the supressed and an essential figure in our struggle for justice and deeply rooted in his socialist fight.
“He was steadfast at the forefront, especially when upholding the struggles of the people in towns, farmers in Baling, students who fought for the wellbeing of the people,” he said.
In politics, Husin was progressively involved as the President of Parti Rakyat Malaysia from 1990 to 2003 and as Keadilan’s co-founder and deputy president, which enabled the strengthening of the principles of justice to build a progressive Malaysia.
Anwar also expressed his sadness and difficulty digesting the fact that his meeting with Husin a week ago was their last meeting.
“…and that moment will remain etched in my memory. He is an extraordinary person, thinker, a fellow leader in the party’s struggle and a teacher of mine,” he said.
— Bernama
