FORMER Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh was a very friendly person and contributed much to Malay and Bumiputera economic development, said Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said he had known Shafie since his Umno Youth days where the two had often fought over issues.

According to Zahid, in the 1970s Shafie conducted studies on the structure and socio-economic problems of the Felda settlers, and his research had been the basis in developing their standard of living.

“The empirical study is still being employed when making studies on socio-economic issues of the Felda community,” he said when met by reporters at Al-Makmur Mosque in Kampung Ginching, Salak Tinggi, Sepang, today.

Shafie, 73, who was also National Chief Scout died in Selayang Hospital at 9.30am this morning due to abdominal complications.

Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed described Shafie as a straightforward and honourable man.

“We both started off as diplomatic administrative officers and later served as lecturers at the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan).

“He became the first Minister of Higher Education in 2004 and I took over the portfolio in 2006. I learned a lot from him,” he said.

Shafie leaves behind wife Prof Emeritus Mizan Adilah Ibrahim and their three children.

He served Intan as research centre chief for five years, was later appointed as under-secretary in the Human Resource Ministry and subsequently served as research secretary in the Policy Analysis Section of the Malaysian Centre for Development Studies in the Prime Minister’s Department. – Bernama, September 11, 2019.