GEORGE TOWN: S.M. Mohamed Idris, the face of Malaysia’s consumerism movement and Consumers’ Association of Penang founding member, passed away at a private hospital here this afternoon due to heart failure.
He was 93.
Idris, known for trademark songkok and white beard, has been in and out of hospital in recent months, and the latest episode saw him being admitted at the
Gleneagles Penang last Friday for heart complications.
Despite being spotted in a wheelchair on numerous occasions, he still goes to the CAP headquarters in Jalan Masjid Negeri here to give press conferences.
CAP research officer N.V. Subbarow said despite his ailing condition, Idris still went to office often.
“He was still able to walk, with the help of a walking stick. I last saw him about a week ago. This is a very sad day for all of us. He will be deeply missed,” he said.
Idris is survived by four children.
Besides CAP, he is also led several local and international non-governmental organisations.
Idris served as a George Town councilor in the then city council back in 1955. He had been vocal in his protests over several major developments in the state, including the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and Penang South Reclamation (PSR) among others.
Idris was scheduled to address the press on Monday over a petition against the PSR.
Born in a village in southern India on Dec 6, 1926, Idris has always been outspoken on everything from consumerism to environmental issues even before becoming president of the association back in 1969.
He received his early education at a madrasah and Tamil school in India, before accompanying his father to Penang at a young age.
He later attended a Christian missionary school here but did not finish his education because of the second world war.
Idris is a respected non-governmental organisation activist and has been involved in serving society in various political and welfare bodies since the 1950s.
According to his brother, Mohideen Abdul Kader, his remains will be taken back to his house at Rose Avenue.
He will be buried at the Jalan Perak Muslim cemetery tomorrow.
Back in March 2012, Idris was engaged in a verbal exchange with the then Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who had dismissed the latter as an “old man”.
Lim had reportedly called him that when dismissing allegations by CAP that no consultations were held with stakeholders regarding planned multi-billion ringgit mega infrastructure projects in the state .
Idris did not give in and stood his guard.
