Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Mourns the Passing of Eminent Historian Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Ahmat Adam

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3: Malaysia has lost one of its most distinguished historians with the passing of Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Ahmat Adam this evening.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his deepest condolences to the family of the late scholar, describing his death as a profound loss to the nation’s intellectual and academic community.

In a post on Facebook, Anwar expressed his admiration for the late professor’s lifelong dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and his efforts in preserving and strengthening the national identity through the study of history.

“My condolences to the entire family on the passing of the late Prof. Ahmat Adam,” Anwar said.
“I pray that the family will be granted strength and fortitude, and that his soul will be blessed and placed among the righteous and the faithful.”

Prof. Ahmat, who had been writing actively since the 1970s, was widely respected for his scholarly contributions to Malaysian history, particularly in the fields of historiography, colonial studies, and Malay identity.

He was among 17 distinguished individuals appointed to the newly established National Historians Council in September, reflecting his continuing influence and relevance in shaping Malaysia’s understanding of its historical narrative.

Tributes have poured in from academics, students, and national leaders, who remembered Prof. Ahmat as a principled scholar devoted to truth, intellectual integrity, and the advancement of national consciousness through history.

His passing marks the end of an era for Malaysian academia, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of historians and thinkers.