A Great Malaysian Has Passed Away
Had an SMS informing me that Tan Sri Noordin Sopiee, former chief of prominent think-tank Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and one of the main policy advisors during the Mahathir administration, has passed away this afternoon.
A wave of sadness hit over me. Another great Malaysian with a first-class mind and diplomacy, has passed on. A man that has contributed much to Malaysia's development and was believed to have been the architect of Vision 2020. A man who is frank with his opinions, behind closed doors and would not hesitate in telling the young ones, the truth about their country - even when it hurts.
A group of young leaders under the International Malaysian Forum (IMF) owe much of their current prominence, to the attention and launchpad given to them by the late Tan Sri Noordin.
Some of them have gone on to become powerful and prominent individuals in this country - one in UMNO Youth, two in the Prime Minister's Office (with another being married to one of them), one in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the others are doing well, be it locally or overseas.
The last time I spoke to Tan Sri Noordin was 2 years ago, in a Budget Dialogue organized by the Ministry of Finance - which gave birth to The Program.
I still remember his words to me on that day, after my presentation - "I'm glad to see that someone actually came prepared for the Budget Dialogue!"
I remember laughing at that comment and thanking him - the Budget Dialogue under the Mahathir administration was always full of sycophants who used up the precious time, telling Dr. M how great he is. What a bloody waste of taxpayer's money!
Tan Sri Noordin, your contributions, visible and invisible, have laid the track for what's coming next for Malaysia and the next generation. Your presence, your wisdom and your guidance, will be missed.
May God bless your soul eternally, Tan Sri. Al-Fatihah.
A wave of sadness hit over me. Another great Malaysian with a first-class mind and diplomacy, has passed on. A man that has contributed much to Malaysia's development and was believed to have been the architect of Vision 2020. A man who is frank with his opinions, behind closed doors and would not hesitate in telling the young ones, the truth about their country - even when it hurts.
A group of young leaders under the International Malaysian Forum (IMF) owe much of their current prominence, to the attention and launchpad given to them by the late Tan Sri Noordin.
Some of them have gone on to become powerful and prominent individuals in this country - one in UMNO Youth, two in the Prime Minister's Office (with another being married to one of them), one in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the others are doing well, be it locally or overseas.
The last time I spoke to Tan Sri Noordin was 2 years ago, in a Budget Dialogue organized by the Ministry of Finance - which gave birth to The Program.
I still remember his words to me on that day, after my presentation - "I'm glad to see that someone actually came prepared for the Budget Dialogue!"
I remember laughing at that comment and thanking him - the Budget Dialogue under the Mahathir administration was always full of sycophants who used up the precious time, telling Dr. M how great he is. What a bloody waste of taxpayer's money!
Tan Sri Noordin, your contributions, visible and invisible, have laid the track for what's coming next for Malaysia and the next generation. Your presence, your wisdom and your guidance, will be missed.
May God bless your soul eternally, Tan Sri. Al-Fatihah.
posted by Stingrayz | 2:14 AM
3 Comments:
Am so sad...the last time I saw Tan Sri was at ISIS, 3 years ago. Inalillah...
Didn't know him personally, but briefly introduced to him once, when overseas. Understand he had been critically ill for a couple of weeks. He'd served his country well.
Anon 2
Elina:
Yes, it is sad. :(
Just met his sons at Bangsar mosque, Amirul and Sam, to express my deepest condolences, on their father's passing.
They looked calm and composed - they hid their sadness well. :(
Anonymous:
Yes, from what I've heard, he's been quietly suffering from thyroid cancer.
But yes, he's served his country well. We should be so lucky to die, having contributed as much, to this nation.
Al-fatihah.
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