KS Nathan, a scholar with a conscience

KS Nathan’s legacy lives on in his scholarship, his commitment to truth, and his advocacy for a more equitable society.

From P Ramasamy

I am deeply saddened by the passing of professor KS Nathan yesterday at the age of 79.

Fondly known to many as Soosay, his demise marks a significant loss to the Malaysian academic community and the Indian community in the country.

Soosay was a long-serving academic at Universiti Malaya, where he made his mark in the field of international relations.

Following his retirement, he continued his scholarly pursuits as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore.

After completing his tenure at ISEAS, he was appointed on a contract basis at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia where he remained active until his final retirement a few years ago.

Appointed a professor well before his retirement, Soosay was widely respected for his dedication to academic rigour and research.

He was a serious scholar who consistently produced quality publications, contributing meaningfully to the field of international relations.

His work was not limited to academia; he had a genuine concern for societal issues, particularly the challenges faced by the Indian community in Malaysia.

Although he never engaged directly in politics, Soosay was deeply troubled by the social, economic, and political marginalisation of Indians in the country.

From time to time, he would call me just to express his concerns over the plight of the community.

These conversations reflected not only his compassion but also his unwavering belief in justice and equal rights.

I first came to know Soosay during his time at Universiti Malaya, but it was during my tenure at ISEAS between 2006 and 2008 that our relationship deepened through close and meaningful interactions.

Despite his academic seriousness, he had a warm and friendly disposition that made him well-liked among colleagues and associates.

His passing is a personal loss to me and my friends.

We will dearly miss him – not only as a symbol of academic excellence, but also as someone who stood up for the rights of the marginalised.

Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in his scholarship, his commitment to truth, and his advocacy for a more equitable society.

Rest in peace, Soosay. You will not be forgotten. - FMT

P Ramasamy is the Urimai chairman.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.