PKR LEADERS PAY TRIBUTE TO SYED HUSIN

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- PKR leaders paid tribute to the party’s advisory council deputy chairman Dr Syed Husin Ali who died today.

PKR deputy president and Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, in a Facebook post, recalled his time together with the late Syed Husin since 2003 when PKR merged with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

“I was the youngest member of the Central Leadership Council then, while he was the PRM president. In 2009, I returned to the party after leaving my corporate job, and Syed Husin and I have been a part of the PKR Political Bureau ever since 2010.

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“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know and learn from him...please offer prayers for this irreplaceable national hero. He lived without seeking praise and kept his suffering hidden. Thus, his passing deserves to be remembered. Al-Fatihah,” he said.

Syed Husin, 88, died at Selayang Hospital early this morning and was laid to rest at the Section 9 Muslim Damansara in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya at 11.15 am.

Born in Johor, Syed Husin had served as a senator in the Dewan Negara and a professor at Universiti Malaya.

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Also extending condolences through social media posts were PKR vice presidents Amirudin Shari and Chang Lih Kang, who are also the Selangor Menteri Besar and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, respectively.

Amirudin described Syed Husin as a distinguished figure who remained steadfast in the reform struggle, while Chang regarded him as a respected person for his unwavering principles and determination to ensure the party continued to exist based on the reform agenda.

Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said via Facebook that the late Syed Husin would be remembered as a friend, teacher and highly respected figure in PKR’s long struggle.

Also expressing her condolences was PKR election committee chief Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who described the late Syed Husin as a steadfast and loyal figure in the party’s struggle.

“He was among the founders of PKR during the ‘reformasi’ era and the party’s first deputy president. His contributions to the reform movement were immense (and) his services and good deeds will always be remembered,” said Dr Zaliha, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).

Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, in a statement, described the late Syed Husin as an exemplary patriot who always prioritised the interests of the people and the nation above all else.

“PAS believes that many others share the same sentiment for his services, contributions and noble character throughout his life, whether as an academician, thinker, social activist, politician, writer or friend,” he said.

-- BERNAMA