Kamal Salih: A visionary who bridged knowledge and nation-building

New Straits Times

24-05-2025

TAN Sri Dr Kamal Mat Salih, an esteemed economic thinker and policymaker who passed away recently, left an indelible mark not only in the academic world but also through his visionary ideas that helped propel the nation forward.
He possessed a rare ability to bridge the worlds of academia and public policy with remarkable ease.
His insights were frequently sought on matters of national importance, and he never hesitated to speak truth to power, especially when advocating for strategies that placed human capital and knowledge at the centre of economic development.
At a recent event held in his honour at the University of Malaya, colleagues, friends, and former students paid heartfelt tribute to a man who not only helped shape the nation's policy landscape but also deeply influenced the lives and thinking of those around him.
His legacy lives on in the ideas he championed and the many individuals he inspired.
How do we honour this man who was always filled with ideas? What can people in academia do to be like him?
Academicians in the ivory tower should not be content to write papers that are reviewed by peers alone but must ensure that their ideas gain traction in the marketplace and have usefulness in society.
How many academics have actually thought about some of the problems plaguing the nation, such as the country's high debt levels, increased cost of living, lower productivity, the need for food security, and increased household debts, to name a few?
They can analyse problems with clinical detachment and ensure their ideas gain traction in society. In doing so, we honour the legacy of the man who tirelessly pursued this ideal throughout his life.
Kamal was a visionary who looked beyond ordinary timescales and far into the future, often earning the ire of the powers that be, who looked at shorter timescales, but this did not deter him from expounding his ideas.
Kamal came up with the "The Crouching Tiger" strategy to address the country's long-term development, in which he spoke about commercialising scientific accomplishments and getting the private sector to lead the industrialisation initiatives.
His ideas would entail cutting-edge technology that would help Malaysia move out of the middle-income trap to new frontiers of industrialisation with advanced technologies.
These initiatives are private sector-driven by businessmen who have successful track records, which spares the need for the government to invest heavily in R&D.
The project would include modernising the agriculture sector, electric vehicles and the nationwide rollout of 5G technology.
Another notable contribution that academics and think tanks can learn from Kamal is the insight that, as industries automate and data becomes the new currency, the country must rethink its economic model, workforce deployment and education system.
Kamal exemplified a visionary academic who did not confine his role purely to lecture halls but chose to engage with policy and influence national discourse.
This requires today's academics to move from their academic silos, guiding Malaysia through steep contours and terrains of AI adoption.
They need to embrace interdisciplinary thinking, as AI is not just about technology but intersects with ethics, economics, education and governance. Universities must collaborate across faculties to jointly address AI implications.
Academics must also engage with governments and civil society. They need to translate research into actionable insights and ensure that AI benefits all segments of society, particularly in the areas of job creation, education,and digital inclusion.
Today's academics must also mentor the next generation of thinkers and leaders just as Kamal did.
Through teaching writing and public engagement, academics can inspire the next generation of thinkers who think critically and act ethically in an AI-driven world.
In honouring the legacy of a scholar and thinker, we must also acknowledge what a remarkable human being he was.
Kamal never allowed pettiness or personal feelings to come between him and others.
He may have disagreed on many ideas or policies of his colleagues but was never at any stage disagreeable with anybody.
In the final years of his life, he was aware that many whom he had mentored and supported did not respond to his gestures with the same generosity or warmth.
Yet he held no malice in his heart. Such quiet grace and the ability to rise above personal disappointment were a true testimony to a deeply learned and noble man.
Kamal was a visionary who simply believed knowledge must serve society.
He bridged the gap between ideas and action, shaping national policy with clarity and courage. In honouring the legacy, academics must move beyond publishing and engage in real-world problems.
His humility and quiet strength have set a standard for public intellectuals. Though he is no longer with us, he inspires us to think boldly, act responsibly and serve selflessly. This is perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer to his memory.
* The writer holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde in the UK, awarded through the prestigious British Chevening Scholarship. With extensive experience in the financial markets and a robust background in management education, he has also served at a prominent think tank.