Penang PKR leaders remember Idrus as father, teacher of Reformasi movement

 The late brother of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was a dedicated party man who was passionate about education.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) during funeral prayers for his elder brother, Idrus Ibrahim, at Masjid Jamek Cherok Tok Kun Bawah in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, today. (Facebook pic)

BUKIT MERTAJAM:

The PKR fraternity in Penang has mourned the death of party veteran Idrus Ibrahim, the elder brother of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, remembering him as a father figure and teacher of the Reformasi movement.

Acting Permatang Pauh PKR chief Amir Ghazali said Idrus, fondly known as Cikgu Idrus, played an active role when Anwar was imprisoned in 1999 in bringing the aspirations of the Reformasi movement to the party’s grassroots.

“This is why the majority of us, especially in Penang, feel his loss deeply. He had a wealth of experience and was very close to the party members. That is why we saw him as a father figure and teacher of the (Reformasi) movement,” he said.

Penang PKR chief Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is also the deputy chief minister I, said Idrus had always advised him on educational matters, as Mohamad holds the education portfolio in the state executive council.

“He always provided his advice and views on what needed to be introduced (to improve) the education system,” he told FMT.

Mohamad said Idrus had contributed significantly to national education, having been honoured with the Anugerah Khas Pengarah (Bersara) by the Penang education department on July 15.

Bukit Mertajam PKR chief and Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon remembered Idrus as someone who led the division as its adviser and gave valuable advice to party members.

Lee said Idrus had been working on a memoir detailing his teaching career and experience educating children in the country’s rural and interior areas.

He recalled meeting Idrus two weeks ago, when they discussed plans to publish the memoir before his birthday in November, and said he was saddened that Idrus would never see it published.

“We have to publish his book as soon as possible and let people know Cikgu Idrus’s journey as an educator,” he said.

Idrus died at the age of 83 at 5.30pm yesterday at their family home here in Cherok Tok Kun. He was laid to rest at the Masjid Jamek Cherok Tok Kun Bawah cemetery today.

A former teacher, Idrus served as headmaster of SK Stowell here as well as SK Permatang Bertam in Kepala Batas.

Numerous individuals paid tribute to Idrus, including education minister Fadhlina Sidek, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali, and Idrus’s former students – entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister Steven Sim, and Kepala Batas Umno chief Reezal Merican Naina Merican. - FMT