Malaysia has lost a good man, Kula says over Thasleem’s death

Ipoh Barat MP recalls activist's contributions to society, including his argument against a book with derogatory references to Indians and Chinese, and his fight against the unilateral conversion of minors.

PETALING JAYA: Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran today paid homage to social activist Thasleem Mohd Ibrahim who died last night, recalling his strong principles and many contributions to society.

Kula, who had known Thasleem for three decades, said the activist’s life and causes for which he had fought showed humility, a hesitance to judge others too quickly and a watchfulness for possible errors, even in his own views.

“The people of Malaysia have lost a good man. He will be remembered for his contributions to the necessity of building a plural Malaysia for many years to come.”

Although Thasleem had been brought up by a Hindu family, his faith as a Muslim was never compromised, Kula said.

“For him, religion was blind to differences of race and language.

“I attended many of his Hari Raya celebrations where at all the functions he provided financial help to the downtrodden and marginalised who delighted in being hosted by a charitable man.

“He was a rich man and generous in assisting the needy, especially students who required help to complete their education,” Kula said in a statement.

He said Thasleem would long be remembered for his actions in 2011, when the education ministry had introduced a book called “Interlok”, written by novelist Abdullah Hussain, as part of the literature syllabus.

“Readers found derogatory terms and references in the book to Indians and Chinese.

“Thasleem got involved in the process to demolish the education ministry’s argument that the novel inculcates good among students.”

Thasleem had pronounced the book as haram under Islam, Kula said, and after months of debate, the ministry had agreed to withdraw the book.

The activist had also been heavily involved in the Indira Gandhi case concerning the unilateral conversion of minors, and had telephoned Kula only two weeks ago to express his dismay at the government’s failure to enact laws to prevent such acts.

“He felt unilateral conversion of minors was contrary to his faith and he spoke against it bravely and often,” Kula said.

Thasleem died at the KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital at 10pm last night. He was 68 years old.

He had headed the National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT) and was also the patron of the Malaysian Indian Education Transformation Association (Mieta). - FMT