KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — Renowned academician and former Telekom Malaysia (TM) executive chairman Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Mohd Rashdan Baba died at 6.59 am today due to lung infection complications. He was 85.
The news of his death was shared by his niece, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid, who is Kuala Kangsar MP, in a posting on her official Facebook page.
Mohd Rashdan died at Ampang Puteri Hospital. He was brought to the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Mosque for prayers before being laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.
He leaves behind a daughter Datin Dr Rayslida. His wife, Puan Sri Robiyah Abdul Majid, died a few years ago.
“I received sad news early today of the passing of my uncle Tan Sri Rashdan Baba. A Rembau-born who had contributed so much for religion, race and nation. He was a smart, courageous and hard-working Aa Ba Ta fighter.
“Thank you Pak Ngah (Uncle Ngah) for teaching and reminding me about perseverance and sacrifices in my struggle. I will never forget it. I love you, Pak Ngah,” Mastura wrote.
Mohd Rashdan was the first vice-chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) (1969-71) and also Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) (1971 to 1982).
He was born on Oct 31, 1935 in Kampung Berkat, Chembong, in Rembau, Negri Sembilan.
He received the National Academic Personality Award in 2013.
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) chairman Rosli Man said Mohd Rashdan had contributed greatly to the growth of the telecommunications industry specifically and to the economy generally as TM chairman for 12 years, from Nov 1, 1985, to Nov 30, 1997.
Rosli said he played a pivotal role in building the foundation for making TM as a conglomerate in the telecommunications industry.
“He was truly a TM man when he led the company in the early days of its privatisation as the executive chairman,” he said in a statement today.
“We can’t thank him enough for all he has done for the company; it touched us even more when he continuously lent his support to TM and continued to stay in touch with the company by attending our corporate functions whenever he could,” he added. – March 30, 2020, Bernama
