Memorial to Commemorate Allahyarham Professor Dr Syed Husin Ali at Universiti Malaya

A moving memorial to commemorate the life and work of the late Professor Syed Husin Ali who passed away on 29 June 2024 was held at the IPPP Auditorium, Universiti Malaya on 21 September 2024, two days before his 88th birthday on 23 September 2024. The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 people and graced by the Rt Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The principal mover of this event was the Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM) and the People’s History Center (PSR), made possible through the able leadership of Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Abdul Rahman Embong, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Prof Rahman is both PSSM’s Special Advisor and a member of PSR’s Board of Directors.

As a renowned social scientist, a thought leader and towering intellectual, Pak Syed Husin spearheaded PSSM for ten years as President from 1980 to 1990. After retiring from active politics (except for the PKR advisory position), he established the People’s History Center in October 2011 and became its Chairman until his passing.

For this event, PSSM and PSR collaborate with the University of Malaya, particularly the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Department of Anthropology and Sociology where he served for 28 years until he was forced to resign when he entered politics. Other strategic partners include the Malaysian Narrative Association (Naratif Malaysia), GerakBudaya, PKAUM, PBMUM, Malaysian Youth Council, Lestari Hikmah, GERAK and ALIRAN. The preparation for and the actual ceremony was made possible with the support of the UM Corporate Communications Office and also the team from the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the September 21^st event, YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim made two important announcements. First is the establishment of the Syed Husin Ali Chair at Universiti Malaya, while the second, a fund of RM200,000 for PSSM. The Syed Husin Ali Chair in Malaysian Studies is to institutionalize his vast legacy in the field of knowledge, a Chair to be parked at UM, where he served for almost 30 years. It is hoped that a renowned lead scholar can be appointed as its first holder. The scholar should not only be able to lead research related to Pak Syed’s field of expertise but also must have the kind of commitment, tenacity of spirit and passion shown by Pak Syed. Meanwhile, the RM200,000 fund is to be used by PSSM and also PSR to continue work related to Pak Syed’s legacy outside the university set up.

We note with gratitude that the two announcements by the Prime Minister were triggered by Prof Rahman’s suggestions in his welcome speech and tribute delivered earlier at the memorial. Prof. Rahman first proposed the chair, to honour the rich legacy left by Pak Syed. This effort is certainly very appropriate and timely to be taken by the government and the university by establishing the Syed Husin Ali Distinguished Chair in Malaysian Studies, at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of the University of Malaya , where he served with such dedication. He emphasised that the chair not only should represent scholarship of high calibre related to Pak Syed’s legacy in terms of knowledge, but also should reflect an embodiment of his values, soul, vision and commitment that transcends beyond the university walls to become a national asset.

Prof Rahman also made special mention of Pak Syed’s efforts in civil society, particularly through the Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM) and the People’s History Center (PSR). He implored that efforts to study history from below by the People’s History Center, and PSSM’s work in advancing social science should be supported in material terms by the Government and also by philanthropists. This is to ensure the sustainability of such projects in advancing knowledge and building an advanced and dynamic Malaysian civilization.

A big thank you and deep appreciation to the Prime Minister for the Chair and the fund meant to support efforts to honour the life and work of Prof Syed Husin Ali.