Former USM Deputy VC Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salih Dies

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Former Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic), Tan Sri Dr. Kamal Salih, died today at his home in Southville City.

His passing was confirmed by his close friend, Distinguished Prof. Datuk Dr. Rajah Rasiah, executive director of the Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) at Universiti Malaya.

Rajah, who served alongside Kamal as a committee member of the International Connectivity Conference and Expo, where the late Kamal was the chair, said he received the news around 10.30 am.

"Such a wonderful person, a great academician, and a brilliant economist. It is quite shocking to hear about his passing," he told Bernama.

Another close friend, Sadasivan Sivaji, director of GSATT Sdn Bhd and fellow committee member, also expressed his shock.

"I just met Tan Sri last week. He was still very passionate about his work and ideas. His contributions to academia and economics will always be remembered," he said.

It is understood that the funeral prayers were held at Masjid Raudhatul Jannah after Asar, followed by his burial at the mosque’s cemetery in Kampung Sungai Buah, Dengkil, Sepang.

The late Kamal, 78, served as professor and dean of the School of Social Sciences at USM and made significant contributions to the nation, including establishing the university’s Centre for Policy Research. 

He was a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Panel from 1981 to 1986 and served on the Malaysian Business Council from 1991 to 1996.

He played a key role as rapporteur-general of the National Economic Consultative Council from 1989 to 1991, which was instrumental in shaping the country’s economic development policies.

One of his most notable contributions to education was the establishment of Malaysia’s first private medical college, the International Medical University (IMU), in 1992.

He served as its executive chairman until 2004 and as a leading figure in the development of private medical education in Malaysia.

Beyond academia, Kamal was involved in politics, serving as the Wangsa Maju member of parliament from 1996 to 1999.

During this time, he founded Yayasan Wangsa Maju, now known as Yayasan Mahkota.

He was also appointed an economic adviser in the National Implementation Task Force during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration from 2006 to 2008.

-- BERNAMA