Academician, social activist Wan Zawawi passes away

Photo courtesy of Sinar Harian.

KUALA LUMPUR: Academician and social activist Dr Wan Zawawi Wan Ibrahim, 75, died at 6.47am Wednesday (May 18) following a heart attack.

The deceased’s sister Datin Wan Hiyati, when contacted by Bernama, said her brother collapsed while preparing to perform his Subuh prayers at his home in Section 11, Petaling Jaya.

He leaves behind widow, Noorshah Mohd Salleh, two sons and a daughter.

Wan Zawawi also has another son from his previous marriage with Australian Dr Leslie O’Brien, who now lives in Sydney.

Wan Zawawi, a PhD holder from Monash University, Melbourne, was a highly respected academic.

The anthropology professor and social activist was also a singer and songwriter who had composed several songs with poetic lyrics and humanitarian elements that were sung either by him or other artistes.

Wan Zawawi composed the song 'Perjalanan Hidup' made popular by rock icon Datuk Ramli Sarip. - Bernama