President of open varsity dies

BY KAREN CHAPMAN

PETALING JAYA: Open University Malaysia (OUM) president and vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Ahmad, 67, died en route to the University Malaya Medical Centre early yesterday. 

His son Faizal, 38, said his father felt tired and had gone to bed around 11pm the previous night.  

“About an hour later, he had breathing problems, so we called an ambulance. He died on the way to the hospital,” he said when met at Dr Abdullah Sanusi’s home in Section 14 here. 

Faizal said his father had always been fit and had even gone to work and also jogged and played tennis the day before. 

His mother Puan Sri Hashimah Ismail and the rest of the family, he added, were shocked by the unexpected loss. 

Dr Abdullah Sanusi, who was also Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor from 1994 till his retirement six years later, was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery after zohor prayers. 

Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad, who was among those who paid their last respects, described Dr Abdullah Sanusi's death as a great loss to the academic world. 

“He made significant contributions at both Universiti Malaya and OUM. It is not an easy task to start a new university,” he said. 

OUM senior vice-president Prof Dr Ansary Ahmed said he had worked with Dr Abdullah Sanusi at both UM and OUM. 

“He was looking forward to the university’s first graduation next year,” he said. 

When told that Dr Abdullah Sanusi had been at work on Friday although he was on leave, Prof Ansary said he was not surprised. 

“You cannot find a man more dedicated to his job. His death is a big shock and loss to all of us,” he added. 

Sobbing outside the home was Rohani Mohd Ali, who had been Dr Abdullah Sanusi’s secretary for the last three years. 

“There are no words to describe my boss who was so caring and kind, “ she said. 

OUM centre for instructional design and technology director Assoc Prof Dr Abtar Kaur also paid tribute to the late vice-chancellor. 

“He wasn’t just a person, but an institution and a visionary,” she said. 

Born in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, on Jan 30, 1936, Dr Abdullah Sanusi had an illustrious career in the public service and later in the private sector. 

Soon after graduating from Universiti Malaya in 1961, he joined the civil service as assistant district officer in Jelebu.  

He went on to hold various senior posts in the civil service and also joined Petronas in 1986 as a vice-president.