No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission in writing from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
Academy of Sciences Malaysia
Level 20, West Wing, MATRADE Tower
Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia
Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia
A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Malaysia
A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Malaysia
ISBN 978-629-7712-05-5
ISBN 978-629-7712-05-5
Go Beyond, Be Profound, Make a Difference ‘
Dato Khalid consistently advocates the belief that excellence demands pushing beyond familiar boundaries. His guiding philosophy, encapsulated in the mantra ”Go Beyond, Be Profound, Make a Difference,” highlights the importance of continuous learning and making a meaningful impact.
For Khalid, exceeding the familiar is not only a personal commitment but a principle he actively encourages and champions. Lifelong learning, both in practice and promotion, serves as the cornerstone of his approach. However, Khalid emphasises that the journey goes beyond mere exploration; it demands a profound pursuit and expression of knowledge among those under his leadership.
According to Khalid’s mantra, the ultimate goal transcends simply surpassing limits and showcasing depth. It is about effecting tangible change that ensures recognition and distinction. Drawing parallels with marketing principles, he asserts that differentiation is crucial for both enterprises and individuals, with making a difference as the linchpin for success.
Khalid’s perspective introduces a critical caveat: making a difference becomes truly impactful when individuals transcend the confines of their discipline. Visibility, according to him, depends on being perceived as profound in the execution of knowledge. Khalid places a premium on the quality of the difference made, advocating for a focus on meaningful impacts over sheer quantity.
Most importantly, Khalid underscores that making “A” difference is not a standalone goal but part of an ongoing, cyclical process. The mantra forms an interconnected and perpetual loop where going beyond, being profound, and making a difference create a continuous and enriching journey towards personal and societal transformation.
Chapter 3: A Married Man
Chapter 4: Khalid’s Career Path
UKM – Getting Started
UiTM – Establishing the Foundation of the UiTM Medical Faculty
Professorial Lectures
Vice-Chancellor and President of UCSI University Stories from Brother Aziz, Journey to Subang Airport
Another Episode by Khairudin, the Accident
Friends in SIC and MCKK
At the University of Melbourne
The Establishment of Melbourne University Islamic Society (MUIS)
Chapter 5: Remembering Khalid through the Lens of His Friends, Colleagues, and Relatives
Leaving a Lasting Legacy that Inspires Excellence
Khalid may have left us forever, no longer here to light the fire, a fire of hope and success shining light on the future, a future which promises disruptions and turmoils for the less prepared, except for those inspired by his legacy, in his parting words, Go Beyond, Be Profound, and Make a Difference, his spirit has not truly left those who are inspired, by his commitment to excellence, this can never be erased forever, his legacy remains…
Ahmad Ibrahim
This biography is dedicated to Zul and Azzah and to all future generations
FOREWORD
This biography of the late Khalid Yusoff is of great value to all who have an interest in the development of science in Malaysia. It tells a vivid story of a national leader who expanded the boundaries of science and moved the development agenda. The life and times of Khalid captured in this biography serve as a useful backdrop to development issues and challenges that held the attention of the nation. Khalid was among a band of pioneers who led the way forward.
Khalid lived and worked during a period of rapid and major transformation in society, economy and, in particular, science, technology and innovation. He saw opportunities to make an impact in the sciences and put his whole mind and heart into it. I am honoured to add the following account of my own interactions with Khalid and the people around him. Hopefully, by connecting his story with the contemporary national concerns and objectives, we may build a better appreciation of Khalid’s role and further enrich the compelling narrative of his contributions to science and development.
Life has its own logic of unplanned connections, coincidences, and serendipity, as much of this biography reveals. Khalid naturally moved among the medical and health fraternity, while my circle revolved around actors in information and
communication technologies (ICT), and the engineering sciences in general. Seemingly, we lived in different worlds. Even so, good fortune edified my own life experiences through connections with Khalid’s family members and their lives even before we had actually met.
We both come from Kelantan. For many years throughout the 1970s, running into the 1990s, I made a point of spending Hari Raya with my family in Kota Bharu. I would offer Hari Raya prayers at Masjid Muhammadi and proceed immediately to the Balai Besar close by to attend the Sultan’s open house. Both the Sultan and Raja Perempuan Kelantan are close relatives. It was a good opportunity to “mengadap” to pay my respects. There I would meet other family members, state officials and long-lost friends.
Hundreds of guests would be present, and among them were the state’s religious leadership. I knew many, having been in frequent contact with them. In the late 1980s, I was also on the Advisory Panel of the Majlis Agama Islam Kelantan. It was at these Balai Besar gatherings that I met the Kadhi Besar Kelantan Haji Yusoff. We would exchange ideas about developments in the state. In particular, I was keen to hear views from religious scholars on the Islamic teachings concerning development, especially the role of knowledge and science
in particular. Even though they may not be scientists, their understanding of nature at the conceptual and philosophical level is generally excellent. This is to be expected, given that the Quran makes frequent references to nature as the physical manifestation of Allah’s creation, wherein there are clear signs of His Presence and Creative Will.
Haji Yusoff came across as polite and knowledgeable on a number of subjects. I was particularly fascinated by his keen interest to engage with someone like me from the world of science and technology. Only now do I know that he was Khalid’s father. There must have been close communication between father and son on the subject of science and religion.
I discovered that Khalid had studied at the Malay College. MC old boys are fond of wearing the school tie on Wednesdays, as noted by biographer Ahmad Ibrahim. I had noticed Khalid’s adherence to this ritual. I, too, had been to MC, where I discovered my deep interest in everything scientific. Some schools make it no secret that one of their primary objectives is to mould the character of their students. MC is one, and often succeeds, as this biography amply illustrates.
When I first met Khatijah, she revealed that her sister Mudlifah had once worked with me. This was yet another unexpected link to Khalid. Cik Mud, as she was fondly called by the MIMOS staff in the early 1990s, was a PTD officer in charge of our administration. As we were only a few years old, we enjoyed her competent and able guidance to put in place improved management processes to handle increasingly challenging R&D programmes with equally complex compliance requirements. Sadly, she had to leave to join her husband who had been posted to the Malaysian mission at the UN in New York.
“ “
I discovered that Khalid had studied at the Malay College. MC old boys are fond of wearing the school tie on Wednesdays, as noted by biographer Ahmad Ibrahim. I had noticed Khalid’s adherence to this ritual.
Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen
In the early 2000s, I was asked to attend a UN session where the agenda of discussion was the rising importance of ICT. Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, Mudlifah’s husband, was serving as our Ambassador to the UN. I was happy and excited to renew our friendship.
This elation soon turned into a pressing challenge. As soon as I turned up for the meeting, I was asked to prepare our nation’s statement. I had wrongly assumed that the delegation already had one. Fortunately, we were quite familiar with the implications of ICT, particularly its national and global impacts. I held (and still do) the position that ICT is a force for good for all of humanity: it democratises access to knowledge, rising as a fresh and powerful enabler of human social and economic development. At that time, Malaysia was a leading developing country in ICT, having initiated many innovative programmes that gained the admiration of many around the globe. Our national statement was thus drafted while we were sitting in the auditorium. Tan Sri Hasmy delivered it with great pride and passion.
I only began interacting with Khalid at meetings of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia when we both served as council members. A memorable event arose when the two of us became contenders for the post of ASM Vice President. I had been persuaded to stand for election by Tan Sri Tajuddin, then President and a friend from MC days. I had not expected Khalid to be a competing candidate. Even so, I welcomed his candidature in the true spirit of fellowship. It would have been a privilege to have him as VP. Our interactions in meetings showed that we shared a common worldview on science and its great potential for human development. He was serious, independent, and single-minded in putting forth his thoughts: just the kind of leader ASM needs.
To me, an ASM fellowship is an honour that bears a significant amount of trust and responsibility. History has shown that science can advance human society, as much as it can also be abused for sectarian ends. More so, an invitation to serve in a responsible position is a reflection of one’s credibility within the fellowship. Our peers will render our work with the necessary legitimacy and credibility by enabling effective mobilisation and consolidation of the wealth of knowledge and experience held collectively by the Fellows. As it transpired, I was elected to the VP post. We continued to work closely as if nothing had happened, attesting to the deep camaraderie and collegiality among Fellows.
An important task of the VP is to take care of members, which include Fellows as well as experts in various other categories. The Young Scientists Network (YSN) is particularly significant. ASM endeavours to nurture and mentor the next generation who could take science to greater heights. Selection to the YSN had hitherto been made on the basis of application forms.
Competition was stiff, given that those who succeeded would gain direct access to highly accomplished and experienced scientists. I was convinced that YSN would become better still if we could select candidates who showed clear intentions to become active contributors by doing things with and through ASM. Interviewing the candidates was the way to go.
The only problem was that it meant more work for the YSN SeIection Committee. I was relieved that the committee members were firmly behind the change. Khatijah was a strong supporter, and I could count on her to attend numerous interview sessions and sometimes take over on my behalf. One particular candidate comes to mind as a good indicator of progress: an ornithologist specialising in owls. In a paper-based selection process, he probably would have been rejected, given that most scientists are likely to find him an odd outlier. Few know much about birds, let alone owls. In the interview, he impressed us. He was evidently an enthusiastic scientist, and more so, possesses unique insights that many would find fascinating. We made our choice, and I was delighted to learn later that he was one of the most popular YSN members. Subsequent feedback from Fellows and YSN members proved that the interviews made a positive impact, as if new energy had been injected into the circle. Clearly, we were able to achieve better results when we did things differently.
Khalid’s scientific spirit was epitomised in his pursuit of the Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research. As noted by Tan Sri Zakri, this Code was first tabled to the National Science Council. However, it was Khalid who brought it to life through ASM. I recall numerous discussions on the training programmes formulated and conducted with and by the YSN members to train researchers around the country and the certification process that went along
with it. Khalid was at the forefront, acting as the mover and shaker to relentlessly drive the initiative forward.
Looking back, I can only admire and appreciate his foresight. In our own backyard, the question of ethics in science has become even more acute lately, driven by both internal and external forces. In the last decade or so, anecdotal evidence began circulating about the deteriorating culture among our science researchers. Stories of plagiarism, fake data, salami publications and publishing in unsavoury journals made the rounds among scientists and researchers. Seemingly, our value system, which upholds truth, integrity, and professionalism, was being thrown to the wind by a small minority in the pursuit of personal gain. I was unhappy and disappointed with the bad behaviour displayed by such researchers. Better training and guidance are essential. However, it cannot be a substitute for change in behaviour, which will always remain an internal effort at the personal level.
The lack of ethics and morality in our exploitative treatment of nature also became prominent in the new millennium, even though evidence of humanity’s unsustainable practices had been adduced much earlier. Deteriorating planetary health is a prime example, as evidenced by the loss of biodiversity, widespread pollution, and climate change. The abuse of science is a major source of the problem. Yet science is also the potential solution. Ethics and morality, again, cropped up when the ASM council discussed the possible involvement of ASM in a project to provide special education and support to the highly gifted among young school children.
Taking a broader set of evidence, scientific as well as humanistic and spiritual, we can only come to the conclusion that both contribute to the development of the human personality. At the purely scientific level, recent research reveals that the environment plays a powerful role in determining the behaviour of our very cells. This came out in a recent ASM lecture delivered by Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse, who has expertise in the cell cycle. According to him, the cell’s DNA makeup is only one influential source of cell development, but not the only one. The cell system is able to sense its environment and uses feedback mechanisms, both positive (to invoke rapid change) and negative (to regulate itself), to achieve certain objectives. We are purposeful even at the cellular level. If this is true at the microscopic level, imagine the amount of influence that the world around us will have on our growth and development. A human being is a complex organism, building its capacity to survive and thrive by learning from its supporting ecosystems and intelligently responding to them. The purely mechanistic view of living systems is being repudiated, giving rise to a more nuanced understanding of nature. All life is in a continuous state of sensing, adjusting, regenerating, reorganising, engaging with and responding to changes in its environment.
The deterministic view of nature in general, along with the reductionist, mechanistic and linear understanding of nature and human life is thus under serious challenge. Nature consists of highly complex nonlinear systems, possessing pathways for communication, feedback and regulating mechanisms that enable dynamic responses to environmental changes. Significantly such systems exhibit emergent behaviour that is unpredictable.
“ “
I only learned from Khatijah that Khalid was unwell when he was admitted to the University of Malaya Medical Centre. I planned to visit him, only to hear a few days later that he had passed away at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah.
At the human level, it is common experience that we are conscious of ourselves and the world we live in, whether it is nature or the world of human societies. And we respond correspondingly to meet our objectives. We should value all our young by taking positive steps to nurture and mould their personalities towards becoming good individuals with the capacity to live useful lives and make useful contributions to society. We will cherish his uncompromising stand that dissuaded ASM from promoting such an unworthy undertaking.
I only learned from Khatijah that Khalid was unwell when he was admitted to the University of Malaya Medical Centre. I planned to visit him, only to hear a few days later that he had passed away at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah.
In the short time that we knew each other, we collaborated closely to pursue a common cause to elevate science and advance the country. This biography is a clear testament to what Khalid stood for and championed during his lifetime.
I am so fortunate to have found a kindred spirit who shared a common understanding of the true purpose of science. Khalid and Khatijah were a unique duo who saw ASM as a special platform to make a difference in society. With Khalid‘s departure, it is left to Khatijah and fellow scientists to continue his lasting legacy.
May Allah bless his soul.
YM
Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia
FROM THE AUTHOR
When I was first approached to pen a biography of Academician Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff, I did not hesitate to accept the challenge. I saw the task as a splendid opportunity for me to learn more about Dato’ Khalid, who, in my book, is an extraordinary person, not just as a prolific scientist but also as a leader of science. The assignment would give me a chance to learn more about his recipe for success in science leadership. We need more such personality and exemplary commitment to nourish and drive interest in science. It is also my intention to use the biography to inspire the young in the country to follow in his footsteps and bring the nation’s science to be among the best in the world.
My story will start with his early years in school and the family environment that helped shape his impeccable character. I would interview his close associates and family members during his school days to help me understand his early life experience. The next phase of his life would be his university days, which I believe would show some early signs of his leadership potential. Not to mention his plunge into love and a family of his own. The phase in his life when he ventured into his career, I believe, would offer readers many of his leadership secrets. A biography would not be complete without the tributes from the many whom
he encountered during the phase of his outstanding career in academia and his chosen profession as an internationally proclaimed cardiologist. I would complete the biography with his many contributions to science in academia and professionally as a medical practitioner.
First Impression
I first met Khalid during an event at ASM. He came across as a serious person. He seldom talks nonsense, always asking sensible questions and offering constructive views. As a heart specialist, his passion for improving the state of science, especially medical science, became clear every time he spoke. I soon learned that he also attended Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) for his Form 4 and 5. Though he was only there for two years, he valued his stay there. I observed that every Wednesday, without fail, he would wear the college tie, which all the old boys of the college observe rather religiously. Those caught not wearing must pay a fine of 50 sen to the Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA).
Born in Kelantan, Khalid proved to be a promising scholar even during his schooling days in Kelantan. He always came out top in his class. He once told me that while in MCKK, his mathematics teacher once gave him more than 100% on his test. The reason
was not only did he give all the correct answers, but he also submitted his paper very much ahead of the others. His passion for excellence brought him dividends in his higher education training. After college, he obtained a MARA scholarship to study for matriculation in Australia. He graduated with exemplary results, earning him the Colombo Plan scholarship to study medicine at the University of Melbourne. I believe it was while studying in Melbourne that he met his equally intelligent wife, Khatijah, who was then studying at La Trobe University, also in Melbourne. After obtaining his medical degree, Khalid joined UKM and was later made dean of the medical faculty. He was always determined to improve his academic standing, following many postgraduate courses at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, and becoming a visiting professor at several universities outside Malaysia. While at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), he earned gold medals for his stellar performance.
Later, he was headhunted by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) to build their newly established medical faculty. He did not disappoint them. Instead, through his efforts, when he left UiTM to become the
Ahmad Ibrahim “ “
I first met Khalid during an event at ASM. He came across as a serious person. He seldom talks nonsense, always asking sensible questions and offering constructive views.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UCSI University in 2013, the faculty of medicine at UiTM became recognised as one that could match the best in the country. He did the same at UCSI. In a matter of a few years, through his leadership, UCSI emerged for two consecutive years as the top private university in the country. He put a lot of emphasis on research. It was not easy at first. However, through his perseverance and support from his management team, the culture of R&D at UCSI soon headed north. His sudden passing on 5 April 2021 was a big loss to UCSI. However, many would agree he left a strong legacy of excellence that should help his successors guide the university on the right path in the coming years.
Khalid has left many other contributions to science in the various capacities given to him to serve the nation. All such contributions to the country and society reflect very much his message of excellence, which he would always use whenever ending his many speeches: “Go Beyond, Be Profound, Make a Difference.” Only a few would disagree that Khalid has truly made a difference in science and higher education in the country.
Ibrahim
Ahmad
PROLOGUE
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Sejahtera.
Innalillahiwainnailayhiraji‘un
Indeed, we belong to Allah and indeed, to Him we return.
Al-Baqarah 2:156
Khalid and I first met at an usrah session at the Albanian Mosque on Drummond Street in Melbourne, and the rest is history. We later got married there in 1979 and never failed to visit the mosque each time we were in that area. We looked forward to celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary there with our family, but alas, it was not to be. Khalid had so many plans, so many things he wanted to change, and so much good he wanted to do for the community. He had countless dreams to fulfil. Certainly, he did not plan to leave us so early; he was only 66 years old. Missing Khalid tremendously, I felt the need to do something to ensure his wish to leave a legacy to the youths of today.
I approached Professor Dato’ Dr Ahmad Ibrahim to help write this biography, as he knew Khalid well, having worked together during Khalid’s final years at UCSI University. This idea received enthusiastic support from our close friend, Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor, who approached the
Academy of Sciences Malaysia to assist with the publication. My niece, Majidah, agreed to help us with the photographs. Many of our friends, colleagues, and relatives graciously contributed to this initiative.
This biography is not merely for posterity but to provide an opportunity for more people to get to know the real Khalid - my mentor and husband who was always there for me - and to be inspired by the man my kids called Baba. We shared so many memorable times, with all the twists and turns, the ups and downs. Each time we fell, he was always there to help and guide us back. He struggled to balance his time and love between our family and his other passion, his students and work.
One of Khalid’s favourite quotes was by Richard Levin, the former Dean of Medicine at McGill University, “Education changes society; Research creates its future”. For Khalid, science is not about serving the interests of scientists; it is about serving humanity. He chose both education and research and took his role and purpose very seriously. Throughout his career, Khalid spent time at three different institutionsUKM, UiTM and UCSI University - playing various roles, as reflected in the respective sections of this biography.
Many would remember Khalid for his serious, no-nonsense, and no-frills attitude. He was always steadfast in his beliefs and would argue till the early morning hours to prove his point. This image was largely shaped by his determination to achieve the highest potential, personal experiences, and family upbringing. His father was an imam at a surau next to their house in Kota Bharu and has also served as Kadi Besar of Kelantan. His mother, a dedicated housewife, ensured all their children completed their education and built successful careers.
Even in his early days as an academician, Khalid believed that universities must instil values and impart meaningful knowledge to higher education. He often emphasised that higher education serves a larger purpose: advancing a national agenda of quality education and making education that matters.
For many, Khalid is often seen as a purist - someone who focuses primarily on the correctness of a solution driven by a systematic and analytical process. And for the most part, this is true. However, viewing him solely through this lens does a disservice to Khalid, the pragmatist. While he was determined to ensure the correctness of a solution, he was also very practical. His desire for perfection did not cloud his judgement; he ensured that solutions were achievable and problems were effectively addressed. This balance was evident in his concessions throughout his career to ensure progress and success. His landmark contributions to promoting world-class cardiology research, medical education, and clinical care in Malaysia stand as a testament to his pragmatic approach.
I pray that this biography will ensure Khalid’s legacy continues to grow, helping us make sense of our memories and experiences with him, providing us with peace of mind today, and giving us hope
that his vision and efforts will not be in vain. Before I conclude, there are two recent landmark contributions that I know he will want us to continue championing.
When Khalid was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017, it was truly devastating. However, being the resilient intellectual he was, he used it as an opportunity to understand the struggles on the ground – the plight of patients and the challenges healthcare workers face due to resource limitations in battling the disease. This led to the creation of the War-on-Cancer Malaysia initiative. Our current struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic highlights some of the structural imbalances and resource limitations within our healthcare ecosystem. While Khalid may have lost his battle, I hope it has only strengthened our collective resolve to continue the fight against cancer.
Another significant contribution is the establishment of the National Science Council-endorsed Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research (MCRCR). This initiative aims to promote greater integrity within our research ecosystem. Khalid spearheaded this effort out of a deep and justified concern: the fear that the pursuit of scientific and research progress has been overshadowed by the rampant pursuit and incentivisation of key performance indicators, coupled with a lack of transparency in addressing alleged research misconduct.
Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, all his friends and colleagues, his peers and mentors, as well as our family members for supporting this biography. In his own words, I truly hope that all of you will stay committed to going beyond, being profound and making a difference. A difference that matters, a difference that cares, and a difference that inspires.
Khalid and Khatijah during their umrah in 2016
Seiras rupa sehati sejiwa
Serasi persis uda dan dara
Dunia akademia perjuangan kita
Kusanjung tabahmu menghadap gelora
Pasak jiwamu Kelantan sejati
Ilmu diburu setangkas helang
Hilangmu sukar dicari ganti
Pahlawan hatiku saintis terbilang.
Dalam usia yang masih bersisa
Sepi menambah rindu padamu
Tenanglah kau disamping Yang Esa
Ku doa di syurga kita bertemu
Harum semerbak bunga Melati
Putih bersih kembang kelopaknya
Kenangan indah tersulam di hati
Kan ku semat di jiwa selamanya…
Khatijah Yusoff
| Khalid Yusoff, the Kampung Boy from Machang:
CHAPTER 1: DAYS, SIGNS OF A BRIGHT FUTURE
Family portrait in 1973
Seated from the left:Hj. Yusoff Hj. Othman (Father), Che Hasmah Muhamed (Mother)
Standing from the left: Abdul Aziz, Khalid, Khairudin, Mohd Azim
Khalid was born on 30 January 1955 to a religious family of Datin Che Hasmah Muhamad, his mother, and Dato’ Biji Sura Haji Yusoff bin Haji Mohd Othman, his father.
His father had an illustrious career. He stayed in Mekah since he was 12, where he spent 13 years studying at Masjidil Haram and in Egypt. He became the Kadi Besar of Kelantan for twenty years, stretching from 1970 to 1990. Khalid was about 15 years old in 1970, studying at the Sekolah Menengah Sultan Ismail in Kota Bharu. His father later set up a legal firm, Guaman Sharie, in 1990. In 1995, the Sultan of Kelantan appointed him as Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Negeri. He served as Chairman till 2005, when he retired from active service. However, he continued to be a member of the Majlis Agama Islam Kelantan (MAIK). He passed away in 2014, shortly after Khalid assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor at UCSI University in 2013. His father had the opportunity to witness Khalid’s prolific rise in his career. His mother, a dedicated housewife, was able to follow almost the entirety of Khalid’s illustrious career. She left to meet the Almighty, early in 2020, just months before the sad demise of Khalid.
Khalid spent his primary school days at Sekolah Rendah Hamzah, Machang. This was from 1962 to 1967. I remember that school well because while studying at Ketereh English School, Hamzah School in Machang was our soccer rival. The school had this talented player named Kohid, a Tok Seh, who truly mesmerised our team with his dribbling. I know Khalid was not very much into sports except maybe chess. He attended Sekolah Menengah Sultan Ismail (SKSI) in Kota Bharu for the early part of his secondary education. This was from 1968 to 1970. In 1968, I was already in the Upper Six in MCKK. Khalid joined MCKK in 1971 for his fourth form, which by that time, I was already in my third year at Monash University, Melbourne, pursuing a degree
in Chemical engineering. Although Khalid was at MCKK for only two years (19711972), he made a positive impression on the teachers there. All his teachers were impressed with his work, particularly his Mathematics teacher, who awarded him more than 100% on an assignment - not only because he got all the answers correct, but he also submitted it much earlier than the others. Procrastination was never his forte, as evidenced throughout his career. This is where we differ; I always leave my assignments to the last minute!
Khalid was the eldest of four brothers. The others include Khairudin, Azim (also a Datuk), and Aziz, the youngest of the four. He once had an elder sister and a younger brother; however, both died within one year of birth. All the brothers are successful in their chosen careers. Khairudin was formerly the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Puspakom and the Deputy CEO of PROTON. He left PROTON to take over Delcol, a company in the water industry. Azim, an electrical engineer, was the General Manager of the Stakeholder Management with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), while Aziz is the current CEO of Strato Solutions, an IT company serving diverse industries, such as Oil & Gas (Petronas), Utilities, Defence (MINDEF), among others for their IT needs. Khalid was the only academician in the family. All his siblings referred to him as “Abe Lid” or brother Khalid.
Aziz, the youngest, was the closest to Khalid. I was told he took Khalid’s passing badly and was deeply saddened. In 1973, when Khalid was offered the opportunity to study in Australia for his matriculation, Aziz narrated the exciting journey going to the airport in Kuala Lumpur.
Class Photograph at MCKK (circa 1971). Khalid standing 6th from the left
At Sekolah Hamzah 1970, Pengajian Islam. Khalid was seated 3rd from the left
Stories from brother Aziz, journey to Subang Airport
Way back in May 1973 (yes, I was in Standard Two then), our big brother, Abe Lid - a kahuna - was offered a Colombo Plan scholarship to study medicine in Melbourne.
So, one day in May, the whole family went on a long journey by car, under the hot sun, without air conditioning and seat belts to Kuala Lumpur (KL) from Kota Bharu (KB) to send off Abe Lid. I don’t think any of our kids today could withstand such torturous journey.
Che, our mother, woke up at 4 a.m. that day to prepare “bekal”for our maiden journey to KL. She cooked rice and two dishes - ayam goreng and telur rebus - for the journey. All were packed in “lonjok” and “sia” with hot tea in a “bocong.” Life was tough! Baba had been busy since the previous day, ensuring that our old and trusted Peugeot 404, with the plate number DA 4343, could withstand its maiden voyage to cosmopolitan KL and bring us back safely in one piece. And I, of course, could not sleep the whole night, thrilled with my first-ever trip out of Kelantan to KL.
We started our journey early at 7 a.m. (Subuh ended around 6 something in those days, until Prime Minister Mahathir changed everything, including the time!). We took the main trunk road at that time: KB - Pasir Puteh - Jerteh – Kuala Terengganu (KT) - Bukit Kijal - Rantau Abang - Kuantan - Temerloh - Karak - Gombak - Sentul - KL.
It was a 12-hour journey in a car without air conditioning, with four boys at the back— the smallest being me, 8 years old, and the biggest, 18-year-old Abe Lid. None of my kids could imagine this could happen to me, but it did.
Our first break came when we reached KT about 3 hours later. Baba stopped the car by the roadside fronting the beach of Batu Burok. Our job as obedient sons were to spread out the mat (menghampar tikar), serve the homemade sardine sandwiches in
the Tupperware prepared by Che, and pour hot tea from the “bocong.” No additional cost was required - life was tough. We, as kids, just ate without any complaints while watching the majestic South China Sea. Life was good.
Then, we continued the journey. The challenge for the car and Baba, the driver, was negotiating the notorious Bukit Kijal Road. The slope made any Camel Trophy challenge look like it was for novices, or so I thought. Many cars had to stop sideways because they had insufficient torque to climb the hill. At that time, Abe Lid took over the steering wheel, and somehow, he ‘makan jalan’ while taking a corner, much to Baba’s chagrin. “Chin (change) gear!”, Baba ordered. Suddenly, the engine stopped in the middle of the road. There was a MARA Express bus behind us. The driver jumped out and placed a rock behind the tyre of our car to prevent it from rolling backwards and hitting the bus. I think Abe Lid just got his driver’s licence - haha. I was so excited at the back because I could see Pantai Kemasik with a blue ocean high in the sky from the back of the car! That was one of the panoramic views I cannot show my kids nowadays since they have realigned the Bukit Kijal Road. Life was good then.
Then, we stopped somewhere by the roadside for lunch. Again, we spread out the mat and ate our packed lunch. No additional costs. Life was tough then.
Finally, in the evening, we arrived at the infamous Karak pass. I heard it was “20batu naik, 20 batu turun” (20 miles up, 20 miles down). The road was indeed winding. Things would be worse if you had a logging truck in front of you. Life was especially tough when you travelled with open windows, without air conditioning, trailing a “lori balak”
with thick black smoke billowing from its exhaust! My kids cannot imagine such things happening to me, but it did.
Finally, at around 9 p.m., we reached our destination—a small MARA hostel at Jalan Tanduk, off Jalan Riong, Bangsar. In those days, we had no relatives or friends in KL, so we had to stay at the MARA hostel at minimal cost. Life was tough.
The next morning, I saw the headlines in Utusan Melayu (yes, the Jawi Utusan Melayu, as Baba only read Jawi newspapers) about P. Ramlee’s demise.
After two days at the hostel and Abe Lid having finished his orientation, it was time for a send-off at the airport. It was my first time at Subang Airport, and I thought it was so huge compared to Pengkalan Chepa Airport. In those years, only twin-propeller Fokker F-27 aeroplanes could land at Pengkalan Chepa airstrip.
When the time of departure arrived, I noticed Che weeping openly for the first time. We all ran upstairs to the open-air viewing hall when Abe Lid entered the departure hall. In those days, you could see your loved ones step into the aeroplane from the viewing hall—how sentimental, unlike now. As I saw
“ “
Then, we stopped somewhere by the roadside for lunch. Again, we spread out the mat and ate our packed lunch. No additional costs. Life was tough then.
Abdul Aziz
Abe Lid step into the large Qantas B-747 jumbo jet, I told myself one day that I also wanted to be like him, and go overseas.
As the jumbo jet was taxiing to the left, Che started to run to the left while crying and waving her hands, hoping Abe Lid could see her, frantically trying to stop the plane so that she could see her son one more time. At that moment, we all thought the plane would take off immediately. But no. Only then did we realise it was just taxiing before making a U-turn and then, with full throttle, preparing for take-off from the left side of the runway to the right.
With his brothers during a boat ride on the Kelantan River in 2016
From the left: Khairudin, Azim, Aziz and Khalid
Che again ran while waving her hands, this time chasing the plane from left to the right of the viewing deck, with tears streaming down her cheeks, still hoping the plane could at least stop for a while. Obviously, Che could not let her favourite son go away. But the pilot ignored her wish. The plane took off into the clear blue sky, and we only reluctantly left the viewing deck when we could no longer see the dot of the aeroplane. And Che still cried.
At least Khalid was more fortunate than me. The whole family sent him off to Australia all the way from Kelantan to Subang airport. None of my close family was at Subang airport when I departed for Melbourne four years earlier in 1969. Unlike Khalid, my family did not own a car. But I had all my family and relatives, including my grandfather, sending me off at the Pengkalan Chepa Airport to go to KL that year. In KL, I was on my own.
Family photo taken in 1966 at the government quarters located opposite of Sekolah Hamzah
Seated from the left: Mother with Aziz
Standing from the left: Father with Aziz, Khalid and Khairudin
The roads in Machang were quiet and seldom full of traffic, so Che thought it was safe for us to make the trip.
When we came to cross the road in front of Baba’s office, somehow (there are many versions), I got hit by a JKR lorry, the one with the yellow cab. The road was uphill, which was probably why the lorry driver did not see us. As a child, I could not run fast enough to avoid it.
I sort of remember being thrown into the air, and the lorry drove over me. Luckily, I missed the tyres.
Baba was having a court case then. A policeman rushed in to inform him, and he came out running, found me, and got me
into a car (I don’t know whose car) to go to the hospital. I still remember lying down on his lap, looking at his shirt with blood all over it and wondering what happened. I could hear him telling the driver, “cepak sikik, cepak sikik” (Hurry up, hurry up). I was also wondering why he was shouting. I did not feel any pain. Then I collapsed. I cannot remember where Abang Lid was.
I met with the three brothers on 2 April at Khalid’s Country Heights house to have a chat about Khalid’s early days in primary school and the experiences the family went through those days in Kelantan. We met at the house where Khalid stayed during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UCSI University. The house was promised to him after his demise. Khatijah and his
Reminiscing the good old times with Khairudin. Flying kites at Pantai Cahaya Bulan in Kelantan in 2018
two children remained at the house after Khalid’s passing. Since he left, his daughter gave birth to a baby girl, while his only son got married. Khatijah was teary-eyed as she related the story.
That morning, at the meeting with Khalid’s three brothers, Khatijah prepared a special Kelantanese breakfast of nasi dagang, laksam, lompat tikam, and more. Apparently, just outside the gates of Country Heights, one Kelantanese, Pok Nik, has been dishing out Kelantan fare all these years. Being one of the earliest investors in Country Heights, Pok Nik has managed to own a number of properties in the luxurious housing estate.
The brothers proved to be a vociferous team of siblings, rather different from the eldest brother, Khalid, whom I knew to be more measured in his conversation. His youngest brother, Aziz, said that Khalid had been strong-willed and disciplined from a young age. This is quite understandable since he was the eldest and had to show more responsibility. In fact, as narrated by the more talkative among the brothers, Aziz, Khalid was entrusted with responsibility by his mother at an even younger age. When he was about six years old and living in Tumpat then, Che asked him to go to the market to
buy vegetables and fish. Alone, he would walk to the pasar with his paper bag. Those days, plastic bags were not used much.
Seeing that he was a small child, he could only carry so much each time he had to make a few trips. Often, his bag would “scratch” the road surface since he was too small to raise it sufficiently high. On one occasion, a passing police truck pitied him and gave him a lift home during one of his buying trips. In a small town like Tumpat, most people knew each other and were always willing to lend a helping hand. This explains why the spirit of gotong-royong was strong in those days. Even kenduri was a gotong-royong affair, with almost everyone in the community chipping in. It is unfortunate that we do not see such spirit anymore nowadays.
The chores that Khalid had to endure then must have taught him self-reliance, which he carried throughout his life and career.
From the stories told by the brothers that day, I would conclude that Khalid was blessed with a close-knit family. They were fortunate to have parents who provided good guidance in nurturing their upbringing. I believe his father had a strong influence in shaping the attitude of the family. I was
Family photo at Khairudin’s house during Eid al Fitr in 2019. Khalid was seated at the far right
told that all four brothers had their driving lessons from their father, using his loyal Peugeot 404. Normally, the father would doze off during a lesson but quickly wake up whenever the car went too fast. Khalid obtained his driver’s license early when he was in his Form 5. His other brothers also followed suit.
Another story narrated to me was the family ownership of parcels of land in Kelantan. His father had the foresight to invest in properties in the state. However, deciding what to do with the land was challenging for the brothers. Together, they came up with all kinds of ideas to add value to the land they owned. They talked about expanding
Friends in SIC and MCKK
Irecently spoke to Dr Wan Mokhtar, a former UKM Professor in chemical engineering. He was a colleague of Khalid’s during his years in Form 1 to Form 3 at Sultan Ismail College (SIC) in Kelantan. Even then, Khalid spent most of his time devouring books. No wonder he led the class in examinations. Games were not his forte. After completing Form 3, Khalid secured a place in Form
the coconut holdings they already had, starting an aquaculture project, and even rearing goats. However, because of their commitments to their respective professions, they could not translate such ideas into real actions.
As quipped by Khairudin, “It was not easy to implement projects if you were not there to supervise. Take goat rearing, for example. Many such ventures failed because of cheating. The person asked to look after the goats would often come up with excuses as to why the flock could not grow in size. The truth of the matter, as shown in many similar cases, was that the employee just could not be trusted.”
4 at the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK). A colleague from MCKK days, who used to work for Biotech Corp, remembered how Khalid excelled in class. In fact, even before the 1972 SPM results were announced, Khalid was among the top ten students picked to pursue matriculation in Australia.
With his friends at MCKK (circa 1972). Khalid standing 5th from the left
KHALID’S FAVOURITE SONG, “MY WAY” BY FRANK SINATRA
And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I am certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few But then again, too few to mention I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
On, no, oh no, not me, I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes, it was my way
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are profoundly thankful for the invaluable contributions of everyone involved.
To friends and colleagues, and of course, our family members who offered specific contributions and support to this biography.
Salleh Mohd Nor, for being the driving force behind the kick start of this project.
Majidah Hashim, for providing us with cherished photos that have beautifully captured the essence of our memories.
Academy of Sciences Malaysia for its support to this initiative.
