CONVERSATION ABOUT Syed Hussein Alatas led my thoughts to his daughter, Masturah Alatas. In her memoir, Masturah not only reflected on her father’s intellectual legacy, but also charts her own growth as a writer—a journey deeply intertwined with his scholarly work.

Syed Hussein Alatas, a key figure in Malaysian history, renowned for his substantial contributions to the nation’s political and intellectual landscape, was born on 17 September 1928 in Bogor, Indonesia. Alatas received his early education in Johor, and during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), he spent his teenage years in Sukabumi, West Java. After the war, he returned to Johor Bahru, where he completed his School Certificate at the Johor Bahru English College. He later pursued higher education at the University of Amsterdam, earning a Doctorandus degree in 1956 and a PhD in 1963.

Alatas returned to Malaysia and began his professional journey at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Institute of Language and Literature). In 1958, he became the Head of the Research Department, and by 1960, he was lecturing part-time at Universiti Malaya. By 1963, he was head of the Cultural Division in the university’s Malay Studies Department. He would lead the Malay Studies Department at the National University of Singapore from 1967 for over 20 years. He later returned to Malaysia as Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, but his commitment to university reforms—introducing meritocracy within Malaysian universities—often put him at odds with the political establishment.

In her memoir, Masturah Alatas reflects on this, expressing frustration at how her father’s ideas were frequently misunderstood or deliberately maligned. She recalls how he became the victim of character assassination for his efforts to elevate the university to international standards by promoting a culture of excellence regardless of race. His push for reform clashed with academics who were less competent, driven by ethnic agendas and backed by political influence. After he was ousted from his position as vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya in 1991 due to allegations of misconduct, Alatas remained dedicated to his academic work, continuing at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia until 1999. He was later appointed Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, which further cemented his legacy as a scholar and an intellectual.

Alatas’ Works

It is evident that Alatas’ experiences during the Japanese Occupation and his exposure to both Malaysian and Indonesian societies significantly shaped his worldview. His time in Amsterdam, combined with his involvement in academic and literary circles, further honed his intellectual foundation. These influences fostered his critical thinking and his determination for reform, which became defining aspects of his scholarly work and public life.

He is particularly known for his critical analysis of colonialism, offering incisive critiques that reshaped the narrative surrounding Malaysia’s colonial past and its post-colonial development. He was attracted to Indian, Indonesian, Latin American and African intellectual developments, all ignited by people-centred movements responding to the injustices of colonial administration. He wanted a similar intellectual awakening for Malaysia. His scholarship serves as a vital commentary on the complexities of Malaysian society, shedding light on its intricate political and social fabric.

Alatas called for a more nuanced understanding of colonialism and its lasting effects on Malaysian identity. His unique ability to interweave history with social theory positioned him as a pioneering thinker in Southeast Asia. Beyond his critique of colonialism, he also emphasised the transformative power of knowledge in driving societal change.

As noted by Ismail, Abd Aziz, Arsani and Ahmad (2022), Alatas’ philosophy offers modern Muslims a framework for intellectual development that balances tradition with modernity. He advocated for an approach rooted in Islamic principles, suggesting that societal progress could only be achieved through a combination of knowledge, social consciousness and spiritual growth. For Alatas, intellectual and moral development were inseparable, forming the foundation for confronting the challenges of the modern world.

Throughout his career, Syed Hussein Alatas was a tireless critic of corruption, post-colonial governance and superficial policies designed to boost the Malay economy. Masturah observed that he “spent his entire life writing about corrupt and servile times.” Among his landmark works were The Sociology of Corruption (1968), the first academic book on the topic in Malaysia, and Corruption and the Destiny of Asia (1999). Yet, despite his persistent warnings, his concerns about corruption were often ignored.

Alatas was particularly vocal in his criticism of the New Economic Policy (NEP), arguing that it failed to foster genuine economic growth. He believed that the NEP primarily benefited a small group of Malay business elites, leading to unethical practices that fostered an opaque environment that enabled corruption, ultimately stifling broader economic development. As Alatas and others have meticulously shown, historically, the “natives” were economically capable of succeeding in business and accumulating wealth without relying on extensive support. According to Alatas, the way forward is to establish a level playing field for all Malaysians, ensuring equal access to public university education and government contracts. He also emphasised that Muslims in Malaysia and beyond should rekindle their interest in science and technology to remain competitive on the global stage.

His warnings about corruption and the centralisation of wealth are as relevant today as they were during his time. Despite ambitious anti-corruption efforts, such as the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) from 2019 to 2023, Malaysia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score declined from 53 to 50, slipping in global rankings from 51st to 57th out of 180 nations. These setbacks underscore the ongoing challenges of combating corruption, despite the government’s aspirations to improve its rankings significantly by 2025 and 2030.

The critiques of colonialism and corruption he put forth continue to inspire assessments of Malaysia’s nation-building efforts. His bold calls for reform in education and governance reflect his unwavering belief in the transformative power of knowledge—an enduring message that holds particular relevance for addressing Malaysia’s contemporary challenges.

Even in his later years, Alatas remained deeply engaged in political and academic discourse, shaping conversations around Malaysia’s socio-political future until his passing on 23 January 2007. His ideas live on, leaving a lasting impact not only in academia, but across the broader intellectual and public landscapes.