Anwar said he has asked higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir to discuss the matter with the late professor’s family and obtain their consent.

During a speech at an event to commemorate Syed Husin at UM today, Anwar described Syed Husin as a scholar who had a very broad intellectual scope.

“He wasn’t just a scholar limited to a specific field – his intellect was vast and diverse,” said Anwar.

“The Syed Husin Chair would fail if we restricted it to a narrow focus. It must engage in broader themes – the people, Malaysia, humanity and championing (justice).

“He was unwavering in his stance on governance and the welfare of the people, particularly regarding poverty. Many of his works addressed these crucial issues.”

Anwar also approved a RM200,000 grant to the UM Social Science Association to conduct research and evaluate Syed Husin’s writings.

Syed Husin, a former PKR deputy president and a founding member of the party, died on June 29 due to cancer at the age of 87.

A close friend and fellow activist of PKR president Anwar, he served as a lecturer and professor at UM, where he specialised in social sciences.

Syed Husin became PKR deputy president following the merger of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, of which he was president, and Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003.

In December 1974, Syed Husin, who was then a Universiti Malaya associate professor, was detained under the now-repealed Internal Security Act for six years following protests by farmers in Baling and students in Kuala Lumpur.

During the period, Syed Husin said he was assaulted and subjected to demeaning treatment designed to get him to confess to “communist plots”, according to Malaysiakini.