The remains of PKR advisory council deputy chairman Syed Husin Ali were laid to rest at the Section 9 Muslim Cemetery in Kota Damansara at 11.15am today.
Earlier, his remains were taken to the Kampung Tunku Mosque to be bathed and shrouded, followed by a funeral prayer led by the mosque’s imam Ustaz Ahmad Saad.
Among those present to pay their last respects were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, senior political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, former Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa, former Batu MP Tian Chua and National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaafar.
Syed Husin’s son Muhammad Ali said his father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last April, but due to his health condition and senior age of nearly 88 years, intensive treatment could not be given to him.
“Our father lived a long life and made the most of his years. As a family, we accept his passing,” he told reporters after the burial.
Born in Johor, Syed Husin served as a senator in the Dewan Negara, PKR deputy president, Parti Rakyat Malaysia president and a professor at Universiti Malaya Anthropology and Sociology Department from 1985 to 1990.
He is survived by his three children from his marriage to Sabariah Abdullah.
Syed Husin became PKR deputy president following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.
He was detained under the now-repealed ISA from 1974 to 1980 for fighting for the plight of poor farmers in Baling, Kedah.
He had since called for the government to apologise to all ISA detainees.
Syed Husin had also urged the government to abolish controversial laws such as Sedition Act, and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.