Historian Khoo Kay Kim passes away
Prominent Malaysian historian Khoo Kay Kim passed away this morning. He was 82.
This was confirmed by Kay Kim's son Eddin Khoo to Malaysiakini.
Prominent Malaysian historian Khoo Kay Kim passed away this morning. He was 82.
This was confirmed by his son Eddin Khoo to Malaysiakini.
Khoo passed away from lung failure at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in Petaling Jaya.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when met by reporters at an event later today, paid tribute to Khoo.
"I regret very much (his passing) and I give my condolences to the family. This man is a very great man, a great contributor to the development of Malaysian history, he is a great historian.
"He has been very fair to all the races because he sticks to the truth. He speaks about the Malays, Chinese and Indians in the past and present and people always respect his views.
"We have lost a very good thinker and historian because of his passing," said Mahathir.
Khoo, who is of Peranakan parentage, was educated at Anglo-Chinese School in Kampar and later at the St Michael's Institution in Ipoh.
He was the first Malaysian to obtain a PhD in history from the Faculty of Arts, Universiti Malaya. He was later chair of history at his alma mater from 1974 until 1992.
Khoo is also known for being one of the authors of the Rukun Negara and for his voluminous and quality academic works on Malaysian history.
Meanwhile, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim also praised his former lecturer.
Anwar said Khoo had a strong influence on students as he was among the earliest historians to look more objectively at local and regional history, shifting away from the European-centric narrative.
"I know him and his family and we convey our condolences," said Anwar.
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