Ex-director of Third World Network Martin Khor dies

Former director of the Third World Network Martin Khor has passed away in Penang this morning, following a years-long battle with cancer. He was 68. 

Born in Penang in 1951, the executive director of the Switzerland-based South Centre, received his training as an economist at Cambridge University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and later played a pivotal role in several civil society organisations.

Having taught at USM and served as a columnist with English daily The Star from 1978 to last year, he later played an active role in the Third World Network, an independent Penang-based non-profit international research and advocacy organisation that is involved in issues relating to development, developing countries and North-South affairs.

Tributes began pouring in today for the outspoken activist who played a role in advocating and raising public awareness for a just and equitable society.

In a posting on his Facebook page this morning, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Zin expressed sadness at the passing of Khor, whom the lawmaker described as an economist, thinker and advocate for the poor and a fairer world.

“We will miss a conscientious voice in Malaysia’s public sphere. May he rest in peace,” Sim said.

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy on its Facebook page extended its condolences to the family of Khor, who not only authored several books and articles on sustainable development, globalisation and economics, but was also a former member of the United Nations (UN) Committee on Development Policy, the UN Secretary-General’s Task Force on Environment and Development, and a vice-chairperson of the Expert Group on the Right to Development of the UN Human Rights Commission.

“He was a fierce advocate in helping developing countries address issues of health and access to medicines, climate change, food security, trade and investment policies. His contributions to society and intellect will be missed,” the centre said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia principal research fellow Denison Jayasooria, in a posting on his Facebook, credited his social awakening to Khor, who in 1983 was with the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) and had invited faith-based leaders for a discussion on faith and society action for the poor.

Denison, who last encountered Khor in Putrajaya last year at the Foreign Policy advisory group under then foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah, described Khor as “truly a Malaysian who has played a role in international matters via Third World Network and South Centre”.

In a statement, former president of Consumers International Anwar Fazal expressed condolences over Khor’s passing as the latter was a rare public intellectual who spent his time in serving the public interest on issues of economics, ecology and equity.

Anwar, who is currently Right Livelihood College director, said that Khor had contributed much to not only CAP, but also to Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Third World Network, and that Malaysia and civil society has lost an outstanding writer and activist.

“Most significant too, he (Khor) served as head of the international South Centre based in Geneva, which promoted and protected the interests of the Third World against global hegemony by imperial economic and geopolitical powers,” Anwar said.

“Even (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) invited Martin to brief the cabinet, a rare thing for civil society activists.

“Although always appearing with a serious deep thinking demeanor, he had a warm heart as reflected in his most recent and last book which was titled Happiness and dedicated to his granddaughter,” Anwar said, adding that Khor’s father, Khor Cheang Kee, was one of the greatest journalists in Penang having headed both the New Straits Times and The Star.

Penang Forum spokesperson Khoo Salma Nasution extended condolences to Khor’s family, lamenting his passing as “Penang has lost a precious son and the global south has lost a great champion”.

“In the last year, Martin gave his full support to Penang Tolak Tambak, and always had kind and encouraging words for us,” Khoo said. Penang Tolak Tambak refers to a group of Penang NGOs involved in advocacy against the rampant land reclamation in the state and the whole country.

Meanwhile, Third World Network researcher Evelyn Teh told Malaysiakini that Khor’s passing is a great loss in the world of social activism as well as a personal loss to many whom he inspired throughout his tenacious journey in the fight for a more just future, be it through economics, trade, the environment, and consumer and global affairs.

“I knew Martin as a kind and soft-spoken person, and a rare intellectual who is remarkably adept in articulating complex issues into concise analysis which anyone could understand.

“His visions for a just world are often ahead of our time, and he understood the urgency of these matters in which he practically dedicated his whole life to. His influence reaches far and wide over many decades of relentless research, writing and advocacy – that which helped shaped not only the national, but international policies at the UN, WTO (World Trade Organisation) and beyond,” Teh said.

Describing Khor as like a father figure to her, she said that while she is deeply saddened by his passing, she felt grateful that he left behind many of his writings on issues that continue to be relevant and pertinent especially now as people worldwide experience the inevitable shift of the world’s social and economic foundations due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini