Anwar (centre) with (from left) Shahridan, Fadhlina, Johari, Mohideen, Maszlee and Meenakshi during the launch of the book at International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies in Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Mohamed Idris’ contributions lauded at launch of book celebrating his legacy
HE moved mountains not with machinery, but with the sheer force of principle.
This was how International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) chairman Prof Dr Maszlee Malik described the late SM Mohamed Idris, who was former president of Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).
Prof Maszlee said this during the launch of the book titled The Man Who Could Move Mountains: Reflections on the Social Activism of S.M. Mohamed Idris by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at IAIS in Kuala Lumpur.
The launch began with an hour-long seminar on the importance of civic activism.
Among the speakers was SAM president Meenakshi Raman, who described Mohamed Idris as an audacious character who had the courage to meet whoever was necessary to put his point across.
“The biggest lesson I learned from him was to act, not just talk.”
One of her recollections was of the activist bringing a dead fish to the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, who was then Penang chief minister, to protest against river pollution.
Despite the risk of arrest for protesting, Meenakshi, who contributed an essay in the book, said Mohamed Idris continued his fight against the use of pesticides.
CAP senior education officer NV Subbarow, another one of the book’s contributors, said the activist was like a father to him.
“I have been with CAP for 46 years. In that time, I was guided to work among the Indian community, educating them on money management.
“We also campaigned against the consumption of cheap liquor, which resulted in the banning of its sale in sachets,” he said.
Anwar, who wrote the foreword, said he had known Mohamed Idris since the 1970s and recalled being invited to his home for briyani.
He said Mohamed Idris was the best example of steadfastness in fighting for consumer rights.
Anwar said the late social activist had the ability to “embarrass ministers in the government” with his wisdom and unwavering stance.
In previous reports, Mohamed Idris was credited for being part of the pressure group that lobbied for the creation of the Department of Environment in 1975.
The efforts of CAP and SAM also resulted in expiry dates on food products, ending cigarette advertisements, increasing workers’ benefits under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) and Employees Provident Fund, and the saving of Penang Hill from a massive development project in the early 1990s.
Co-editor of the book and CAP assistant secretary Dr Shahridan Faiez said it was not merely about the past, but a blueprint for the future.
“By bringing together the 20 writers whose lives he had touched, we see the living legacy of one man’s conviction.
“Our hope is to pass his torch to a new generation, showing that principled action is key to building the Malaysia we aspire to,” said Shahridan.
The other editors are Claude Alvares and Lim Jee Yuan.
Mohamed Idris died in 2019 at the age of 93 from heart failure.
Also present were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Mohamed Idris’ brother and CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader.
The book costs RM50 and can be purchased at consumer.org.my/new-cap-book/
