KUALA LUMPUR: Former senator and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general Datuk Dr. Firdaus Abdullah has died earlier this morning.
Firdaus' passing was announced by the DBP through its official social media page and his remains will be brought to the Ampang Muslim Cemetery after Zohor prayers, here, today.
"DBP extends condolences to the family of Datuk Dr. Firdaus bin Abdullah (Former Director-General of DBP) who has returned to the mercy of God on April 11, 2024, corresponding to 2 Syawal 1445.
"May his soul be blessed and placed among the believers. Amen," it said.
Firdaus, who was born in Kuang, Selangor, served as the Director-General of DBP from 2005 to 2008. He was later appointed as a senator in 2009.
He held a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) specialising in political science from Columbia University, United States, and started his academic career as University of Malaya (UM) Faculty of Economics and Administration assistant lecturer in 1971. He later served as UM's deputy vice-chancellor for student affairs from 1998 to 2001.
Firdaus was also a journalist at Berita Harian and in 1963 under the guidance of the late Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail and was appointed as the Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd executive chairman from 2004 to 2005.
He was also known for various writings, including books and academic works in the fields of politics, culture, journalism and translation works.
Among the creative works that he assisted in translating include books titled 'Political and Cultural Commentary' and 'Malay Leadership: A Journalistic Record.'