Dewan Rakyat observes moment of silence to mourn passing of late Syed Husin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat observed a moment of silence on Tuesday (July 2) to mourn the passing of Dr Syed Husin Ali, a PKR founding member.

Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul told the august House that Syed Husin, 88, had served in the Dewan Negara for two terms from 2009 until 2015.

“The late Syed Husin was known as a political figure that fought for social justice. He was also a renowned academician, a pioneer in the sociology field in the country and was among the founders of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“I call upon all Muslim MPs to recite the Al-Fatihah and for all observe a moment of silence to pay our respects to the late Dr Syed Husin Ali,” he said on Tuesday.

Syed Husin, who served as PKR advisory council deputy chairman, died at Hospital Selayang on June 29.

The veteran academician was appointed PKR deputy president following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president, and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.

Due to his involvement in activism such as the 1974 Baling protest, Syed Husin was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for six years.

At the time, farmers in Baling, Kedah, who were protesting the drop in rubber prices and higher living costs, were joined by thousands of students led by student activist Anwar Ibrahim.

Syed Husin also penned several books including "Dua Wajah: Tahanan Tanpa Bicara", which detailed his experience being detained under ISA, and "Sejarah dan Dasar Perjuangan Keadilan".