GEORGE TOWN: It was a sombre morning at Rose Avenue here as friends and family bid their goodbye to the late S.M. Mohamed Idris, who passed away on Friday evening.
The Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) president passed away at a private hospital due to heart failure.
His remains were taken to his residence here for his family and friends to pay their respects and view him for the last time.
Among those who paid their respects was Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas who arrived at about 8.30am, accompanied by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Idris’ remains were then taken to the Masjid Hashim Yahaya for the final prayers.
The prayers for Idris, who was also the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, saw the presence of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by Human Resource deputy minister Datuk Mahfuz Omar.
They joined the congregational prayers before the remains were taken to the Jalan Perak Muslim Cemetery to be buried.
“He (Idris) was a simple man, something that we rarely see these days, and being a pious Muslim, his approach was imbued with patience and simplicity.
“He was a legend, a giant of a man and cannot be compartmentalised to only being a crusader of consumers.
“He was a very outspoken person defending the rights of the homeless and the squatters, and he was a great proponent to justice and reform in the country. I pray for him to be given the best reward in the hereafter,” Anwar said.
Idris was laid to rest at about 10.45am.
Known for his trademark songkok and white beard, among Idris' and CAP's notable achievements was the formation of the Department of Environment (DOE) in 1975.
It was CAP’s pressure and work on environmental issues that became instrumental to the DOE’s formation.
The Penang Hill project that was cancelled in 1991 following the rejection of its Environmental Impact Assessment by the DOE was another success which helped protect the watershed areas of Penang.
His other achievements include the labelling of expiry dates on foods, banning on cigarette advertisements, improving the benefits for workers in Socso and EPF, as well as improving protection for tenants and house buyers.
Despite his advanced age and ailing health, Idris continued to remain active by taking up various causes and issues.
In recent times, he had protested against several major developments in the state, including the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and Penang South Reclamation (PSR), among others.