Cherished mentor: Prof Zulfigar was laid to rest at the burial ground of Masjid Sungai Gelugor in Penang.
GEORGE TOWN: To stress the value of marine resources, the late Prof Datuk Dr Zulfigar Yasin often used the following anecdote.
“Long ago, the rich ate chicken and the not-so-rich ate fish. Today, the rich eat fish and the poor can only afford chicken.”
The Star’s deputy news editor Arnold Loh said he will never forget those words.
“I interviewed him about our depleting marine resources and in two short sentences, he described it in a way that a layman can understand easily,” he said.
He said Prof Zulfigar not only dedicated himself to the science itself but wanted to spread knowledge to fishermen and fish farmers to achieve sustainable management of marine resources.
“He could adapt very easily in any setting. He could stand in front of a symposium and get all intellectual, and he could hang out with fishermen and blabber away.
“Every time I interviewed him, he strove to answer with words that people on the street would understand,” Loh added.
Prof Zulfigar, 66, passed away on Monday and was laid to rest at the burial ground of Masjid Sungai Gelugor.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan said Prof Zulfigar educated a whole generation of marine scientists during his time at USM.
“He groomed us all. He was a legend in marine science research with superb foresight; a humble man with great wisdom.
“I lost a very dear person who made me what I am today. He was not only my mentor, but a father, brother and very dear buddy,” said Prof Tan, who was distraught with grief.
A close friend Ng Su Ann describes Prof Zulfigar as one of the greatest scientific minds who always spoke of uncovering marine treasures.
“I had the privilege of knowing him as a journalist.
“Our interviews were always a joy as he had a rare gift for making complex topics easy to digest by using funny, relatable anecdotes.
“Beyond science, he was a storyteller and a singer, and his warmth, brilliance and boundless curiosity made him unforgettable.
“Prof Zul, you always spoke about the marine treasures under the sea when you are a treasure yourself and the waves will forever whisper your legacy,” said Ng.
Prof Zulfigar’s career was marked by remarkable achievements as he played a key role in the establishment of Cemacs which became a leading hub for marine research.
In 2002, he led a Malaysian research team on a 73-day expedition to Antarctica, a collaboration with the Australian Antarctic division, to study extreme marine environments.
Later, he initiated the Research on the Seas and Islands of Malaysia (Roses), the largest scientific expedition in Malaysian waters at that time.
He authored several coffee table books, including Inspirations (on Cemacs) and Semporna (on the Bajau laut community).
