MALAY intellectual and author Dr Kassim Ahmad was laid to rest this evening in a quiet funeral in Kulim. 

He was buried about 7.30pm at the Masjid al-Huda cemetery in Kilang Lama, Kulim, after Maghrib prayers. 

His wife, two of his children, and grandchildren were at the grave site.

Kassim’s second daughter, who lives in France, could not make it home in time. 

Also present to pay his last respects at the mosque were relatives, friends and those who held him in high esteem. 

Among them was Kassim’s old friend Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, who arrived before prayers and stayed until the funeral ended. 

“He was so liberal minded and open to social commitment for society. He was a forthright person.

“He was of course a loving father and a good neighbour,” the Roman Catholic leader said. 

Pakiam said his late father was a neighbour  of Kassim’s family when they lived at Jalan Bunga Raya in Bukit Gelugor, Penang decades ago. 

“I have known Kassim and his family for years, since his son Ahmad Shauqi (who is now 50) was a naughty little boy,” he said. 

Pakiam said when Kassim was detained under the Internal Security Act in 1976, his father drove the latter’s children to Kamunting to visit their father. 

The old friendship held for years, with the two seeing each other from time to time. 

“I used to visit him in Kulim on my way to Penang to see my sisters,” he said.

Activist and writer Dr Syed Husin Ali, a former PKR deputy president, said he had lost a good friend while society had lost an important figure. 

He said however controversial Kassim was, he had contributed to intellectual knowledge in religion. 

“He was active in activities of a socialist nature since his student days. 

“He changed a bit after his ISA detention. He then turned to religion,” Syed Husin said. 

Syed Husin was detained under the ISA with Kassim and he was freed a year after his friend. 

After the funeral wrapped up, Shauqi thanked the mosque congregation and members of the community for their help in his father’s burial. 

He said Kassim was now in a better place. 

Consumers Association of Penang vice-president Mohideen Abdul Kader and student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim were also present. 

Kassim, 84, died at 10am today at Kulim Hospital in Kedah near their home at the Kulim Golf and Country Resort after slipping into a coma yesterday.

He was hospitalised on September 16, Malaysia Day, after he had breathing difficulties. – October 10, 2017.