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New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kamal Salih: A visionary who bridged knowledge and nation-building
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.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Education pioneer Rasammah Bhupalan dies at 98
KUALA LUMPUR: Education pioneer and veteran social activist Datuk Rasammah Bhupalan passed away today at the age of 98. According to a family obituary, a wake will be held at her residence tomorrow evening, with visiting hours scheduled from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm prior to the wake. The funeral service will take place on Thursday at Wesley Methodist Church. Rasammah leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her journey of activism began at 16, when she and her sister, Ponnammah, joined the women's wing of the Indian National Army to fight British colonial rule. She had served in the then Burma (now known as Myanmar) before returning two years later to continue her education. Subsequently, Rasammah went on to earn a degree from the University of Malaya in Singapore in 1953 and began her teaching career at Methodist Girls' School in Penang. Rasammah became an advocate for women's rights in 1957, after the Education Ministry rolled out the Unified Teaching Service Scheme, which institutionalised wage discrimination against women. She founded the Women Teachers' Union in 1960 and was a co-founder of the National Council of Women's Organisations, making her a trailblazer in Malaysia's women's rights movement. She later served as principal of Methodist Girls' School here and, in recognition of her lifelong contributions to education, was honoured with the Tokoh Guru award in 1986.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Education pioneer, freedom fighter Rasammah Bhupalan passes away at 98
PETALING JAYA: Renowned education advocate and social activist Rasammah Bhupalan has died at the age of 98. According to an obituary cited by theSun, family members announced that a wake will be held at her Kuala Lumpur home tomorrow evening. Rasammah, widely respected for her contributions to education and women's social rights, leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her remarkable journey began at age 16 when she joined the women's wing of the Indian National Army in their struggle against British colonial rule, serving in Myanmar (then Burma). After contracting malaria, she returned to Malaya in 1945 to complete her secondary education. She subsequently earned her degree from the University of Malaya in Singapore in June 1953 and embarked on her teaching career at Methodist Girls School in Penang. In 1960, Rasammah established the Women Teachers' Union and later became principal of Methodist Girls' School in Kuala Lumpur. Throughout her career, she championed gender equality, particularly advocating for equal pay for women educators. Her significant contributions to education were formally recognized with the prestigious Tokoh Guru award in 1986. Rasammah's activism extended beyond education, as she campaigned for improved pension benefits and higher minimum wages, while also speaking out against domestic violence and rape. Among her lasting legacies are the YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre, which she founded to support girls from lower-income backgrounds, and her role as a co-founder of the National Council of Women's Organisations.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Education icon Rasammah Bhupalan dies at 98
PETALING JAYA: Renowned education advocate and social activist Rasammah Bhupalan has died at the age of 98. According to an obituary cited by theSun, family members announced that a wake will be held at her Kuala Lumpur home tomorrow evening. Rasammah, widely respected for her contributions to education and women's social rights, leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her remarkable journey began at age 16 when she joined the women's wing of the Indian National Army in their struggle against British colonial rule, serving in Myanmar (then Burma). After contracting malaria, she returned to Malaya in 1945 to complete her secondary education. She subsequently earned her degree from the University of Malaya in Singapore in June 1953 and embarked on her teaching career at Methodist Girls School in Penang. In 1960, Rasammah established the Women Teachers' Union and later became principal of Methodist Girls' School in Kuala Lumpur. Throughout her career, she championed gender equality, particularly advocating for equal pay for women educators. Her significant contributions to education were formally recognized with the prestigious Tokoh Guru award in 1986. Rasammah's activism extended beyond education, as she campaigned for improved pension benefits and higher minimum wages, while also speaking out against domestic violence and rape. Among her lasting legacies are the YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre, which she founded to support girls from lower-income backgrounds, and her role as a co-founder of the National Council of Women's Organisations.
