KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The death of Professor Syed Hussein Alatas, 78, is a great loss to the nation as the country had lost a renowned thinker, especially in cultural and social studies.

A champion of the Malay language, Syed Hussein was also well known politically for being one of the founders of Gerakan.

His death about 9.30pm Tuesday from a heart attack was deeply felt by Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, who is now gathering materials for his book on Gerakan.

"I regretted in not being able to interview him for a book on Gerakan which I am writing. We have known each other since the 1970s while I was in school," he added.

Chia, who is Gerakan Secretary-General, when met after paying his last respects to Syed Hussein, said Syed Hussein's death was a great loss to the party.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Syed Hussein was an eminent figure in promoting the learning of the Malay language.

"Efforts to promote the language should not end but need to be continued," said Mahathir, who was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, at Syed Hussein's residence.

Universiti Malaya (UM) Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Rafiah Salim said Syed Hussein had made massive contributions to UM, especially in academic fields and his demise was a great loss.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang regarded Syed Hussein as a highly respected intellectual and suggested that a memorial be set up in his honour.

Singapore's Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, and Senior Minister of state for foreign affairs Zainal Abidin Rasheed, were also present to pay their last respects to Syed Hussein.

Zainal Abidin regarded Syed Hussein, who was his former teacher, as a mentor for him and the people of Singapore.

Prayers for Syed Hussein were held at his residence at 137 Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara here, following which the body was taken to the Kiara Muslim cemetery where it was buried after the afternoon (zohor) prayer.

He leaves wife Datin Zaharah Abdullah Alattas, three children - Prof Dr Syed Farid, 45, Datin Dr Sharifah Munirah, 43, Sharifah Mastura, 39, and six grand-children.

Also present were the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Sultan Azlan.

In Penang, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Gerakan Deputy President, said Syed Hussein was a renowned thinker and would be remembered for his contributions in promoting racial unity and as Gerakan founder.

Meanwhile, the University of Malaya in a press statement issued here Wednesday described Syed Hussein, who was its fourth Vice Chancellor from May 1988 until January 1991, as a scholar and philosopher who was committed to the ideals of the university.

"Including the academic freedom and challenging the academic community to rethink its assumptions," it said.

"He was concerned about the career development of young academics and made himself available to a cross-section of the university community," it said.

He was also a formidable scholar with a big heart and was well known internationally, and had brought a wealth of experience to the university and enriched it, it said.

"He will be missed," said the oldest university in the country