PKR founding member Syed Husin dies

PKR founding member Syed Husin Ali has died at the age of 87.

According to his son Muhammad Ali, the deceased’s remains are expected to be taken to the mosque in Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya, for prayers and last rites, before burial.

News of Syed Husin’s passing in the wee hours of this morning was shared by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Facebook.

According to Fahmi, the octogenarian was admitted to the Selayang Hospital on the second day of Hari Raya Aidiladha, earlier this month.

Earlier this week, Syed Husin was reported to be in critical condition.

“The deceased contributed a lot to the party and the rakyat and published a lot of books, including ‘Two Faces: Detention Without Trial’, which chronicles his detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), as well as ‘Memoirs of a Political Struggle’, and got involved in many elections and struggles in the country’s political arena.

“Syed Husin’s views were much respected in the country, and the party leadership often referred to him. He was patient and soft-spoken, yet strict when it came to discipline, and gave a lot of advice, including to yours truly,” said Fahmi, who is also the government spokesperson.

Decorated veteran

Syed Husin became PKR deputy president following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.

The former Universiti Malaya associate professor was detained under the now-repealed ISA from 1974 to 1980 for fighting for the plight of poor farmers in Baling, Kedah.

He had since called for the government to apologise to all ISA detainees.

He had also urged the government to abolish controversial laws such as Sedition Act, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Politics-wise, Syed Husin contested three Dewan Rakyat elections in the 1990s but lost each time before going on to serve in the Dewan Negara for two terms from 2009 to 2015.

The father of three has written and edited approximately 20 books including “The Malays: Their Problems and Future”, “Poverty and Landlessness in Kelantan”, “The Malay Rulers: Regression and Reform”, “Ethnic Relations in Malaysia: Harmony and Conflict”, and “A People's History of Malaysia”.

Below is a three-part series by Malaysiakini in conjunction with Syed Husin’s 85th birthday in 2021:

Syed Husin remembers #1: Merdeka-era leaders lost to the nation

Syed Husin remembers #2: Konfrontasi and the early days of Malaysia

Syed Husin remembers #3 – Overcoming 1974 arrests and Ops Lalang

Syed Husin in critical condition

Ops Lalang: Ex-ISA detainees want govt to apologise

‘What you know, not who you know should be key’ - Syed Husin

Govt should help people based on need, not race - Syed Husin

Ex-ISA detainee reminds govt to be firm on abolishing Sedition Act, Sosma

Syed Husin: Anwar deserves chance, may be nation's turning point

Syed Husin remembers #3 – Overcoming 1974 arrests and Ops Lalang

Syed Husin remembers #2: Konfrontasi and the early days of Malaysia

Syed Husin remembers #1: Merdeka-era leaders lost to the nation