E Contrario

Salman (right) at the funeral

Former political secretary of Anwar Ibrahim Datuk Nasaruddin Abdul Jalil passed away today (Oct 9). At about 20:30hr I received an sms from a party member: “Salman’s father passed away a while ago”.

Salman was the son of Datuk Nasa. He is an active member of the Youth (Angkatan Muda). He has volunteered to help up with Suara Keadilan and the party website.

At 21:30hr, I was at his house in Petaling Jaya Section 16. Salman was too occupied, I was unable to greet him to convey my condolence. I have all my sympathy for him.

Gathered to pay the last respect were friends from Anwar’s circle—mostly them are with KeADILan, but some in Umno. Anwar came to offer his condolence to the family before attending his program in Puchong.

I have not been personally acquainted with Nasa. I only heard about his name during the Reformasi years. He went into ‘exile’ in Indonesia when Anwar was arrested and imprisoned. Like other Anwar’s friends, they all had a hard time in the years of repression. Despite being overseas, he remained concerned with the political development at home.

He had been suffering from cancer in the last couple of years. Nonetheless, the news of his death came as a shock. I in fact regret did not have the opportunity to know him better.

Datuk Nasa was burried in the cemetery in Mount Kiara at midnight.