PUTRAJAYA, July 1 – Academician Tan Sri Dr Awang Had Salleh (photo), who died from lung complications at the age of 79 early today, was an avid painter.
Awang Had pursued a course in fine art painting through distance learning after his retirement, said his son-in-law Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan who is also urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister.
He said the deceased emphasised on education and would always buy books for his grandchildren.
“He was fond of speaking in literary prose to the extent that he named my two sons Kencana Putra and Karisma Putra,” said Abdul Rahman.
His wife, Datin Norazlina, the sixth of seven siblings, said her father had been sick since eight years ago and was often hospitalised.
“His condition worsened since three days ago and he had to be admitted to the Putrajaya Hospital due to breathing difficulty.
“My father had not been able to speak for sometime and had to interact with us through eye movement and facial expression,” she said.
During his illustrious career, Awang Had had held various academic posts, namely Universiti Malaya deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs), Institut Teknologi Mara (now UiTM) director, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia vice-chancellor, Universiti Utara Malaysia first vice-chancellor and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) pro-chancellor.
He is survived by his wife, Puan Sri Salmah Abu Bakar, 69, and seven children, including two daughters.
He was buried at the Presint 20 Muslim Cemetery here after the Zohor prayers today.
– BERNAMA
