THE president of Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), SM Mohamed Idris, has died at the age of 93.

He died in a private hospital in George Town at 4.45pm.

CAP research officer NV Subbarow confirmed the news when contacted.

He said his late boss had been in and out of the hospital recently but not for anything serious, as far as he knew.

“He went for check-ups. He had no serious cases of illness of late.

“He also came to the office regularly even though he had been taking things easy,” he said.

Subbarow said he last saw saw Idris in the office at Jalan Masjid Negri last week.

“We are all very sad,” he said.

Idris is survived by four children.

Despite his old age, Idris had continued to campaign on consumer rights and voice out against environmental issues.

Idris previously said he criticised all governments, regardless which party was ruling.

The consumer and environmentalist was also president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia. He had been protesting the Penang Transport Master Plan and Penang South Reclamation (PSR).

Idris was scheduled to hold a press conference next Monday about a petition against PSR.

He was a city councillor in 1955.

Idris was also president of Citizens International, a global initiative that fosters awareness, activism and advocacy on issues central to humanity’s wellbeing and stability.

Idris was born in India on December 6, 1926. He received his early education at a madrasah and Tamil school there before he came to Penang with his father.

He attended a Christian mission school in Penang but could not complete his studies due to the Second World War.

In an immediate reaction, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail expressed his condolences to Idris’ family over his death.

“I had sought much advice from him, especially on consumer issues. Al Fathihah,” he tweeted.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was among the first to extend condolences on social media.

“May his soul rest with the martyrs and saints,” she tweeted.

Twitter user Tasnim Lo said: “You’ve done so much for the people. Thank you.”

“Those who don’t know him, read about him and what he has done.”

Khoo Salma Nasution of Penang Forum said Penang had lost its greatest champion and protector of green Penang.

“He defended our rights as consumers, and spearheaded the discourse about healthy and planet-conscious living in this part of the world. He was gentle with his friends and fierce with shameless polluters and destroyers of the environment. A much loved and admired father and grandfather to many of us in the environmental movement, we deeply mourn his loss,” she said. – May 17, 2019.