KUALA LUMPUR — Activist Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari, who led elections reform coalition Bersih as well as Ikram Malaysia, died this morning at the age of 50.
Tributes from fellow comrades in activism highlighting his firm but gentle leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing civil and political rights were soon posted to social media after his death at the National Cancer Institute.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his sorrow over Shahrul Aman’s passing, praising his dedication to ensuring democratic reforms in Malaysia.
“I pray for his soul to be granted forgiveness, and for his family to be given the utmost strength during this time,” Anwar wrote.
Shahrul Aman had been Ikram secretary-general, Bersih deputy chairman and then its acting chairman for a period in 2018.
He became acting chairman after Maria Chin Abdullah stepped down from the top post to contest in the general election for the Petaling Jaya federal constituency.
Shahrul Aman spent a few months as Bersih’s acting head, until he was appointed press secretary to then Education Minister Maszlee Malik.
His former Bersih colleague Mandeep remembered him as “calm, composed, and grounded – a steady hand in turbulent times”.
Shahrul Aman had stepped up to provide leadership to Bersih when Maria was detained, and led the Bersih 5 rally on Nov 19, 2016 while she was behind bars, Mandeep recalled in a tribute on Facebook.
“In those dark and uncertain days, his presence was critical in holding Bersih together,” wrote Mandeep.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, meanwhile, also penned a tribute to Shahrul Aman whom he had known from his activist days, recalling how the latter engaged across ethnic and religious lines in order to achieve the common goal of improving reforms in Malaysia.
“Today the country lost an activist and a preacher. I have lost a friend who wanted to build a better Malaysia,” said Syahredzan.
Funeral prayers for Shahrul Aman was performed at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Mosque in Serdang after the zuhur prayers. He will be laid to rest at the nearby cemetery, according to a statement by Ikram assistant secretary-general Khubaib Azahari.
“The entire Ikram family is deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved brother… his passing is a significant loss to the Islamic movement in Malaysia and internationally.”
Khubaib said Shahrul Aman was a steadfast figure in the struggle for dakwah and community development and had been active in the Islamic student movement in the UK through the Majlis Syura Muslimun while pursuing his studies in London. – April 28, 2025