POS Malaysia has unveiled their latest collection of stamps commemorating remarkable Malaysian scholars who have made enduring contributions in their field during their lifetimes.
The series, issued on December 29, features the late Professor Diraja Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid (printed on a 30 sen stamp), the late Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohd Rashdan Baba (RM1 stamp) and the late Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim (RM1.30 stamp).
Stamp enthusiasts and philatelists will be able to purchase the “Cendekiawan di Malaysia” series in individual quantity or as a collectible set which retails for RM61.10 online.
The collectible set contains three stamp sheets (20 pcs of 30 sen, RM1 and RM1.30 stamps per sheet), one set of First Day Cover with Stamps & Cancellation (FOC leaflet), and one Folder produced using a special technique of die-cut and spot UV.
Ungku Aziz, a former director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, began his career as an academic at the University of Malaya, serving as a lecturer in economics.
His brilliance was noticed early on and he continued to rise the ranks obtaining full professorship before eventually becoming the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administration.
In 1968, Ungku Aziz ascended to the helm of the university and succeeded Dr J.H.E. Griffiths as vice-chancellor of the University of Malaya, becoming both the first Malaysian and the longest-serving person to hold the post. He passed away on December 15, 2020 at the age of 98.
Rashdan was elected the first vice-chancellor of University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Reading, and graduated as a doctor of law from the University of Leeds.
Beyond his academic achievements, he served as chairman of TM for 12 years from 1985 to 1997. He died at the age of 85 on March 30, 2020.
Khoo was a Malaysian historian who played an instrumental role in formulating the Rukun Negara following the devastating racial riots of May 13, 1969.
He became a lecturer at the University of Malaya in 1967 where gained full professorship and was subsequently appointed Chair of Malaysian History until his retirement in 1992.
He continued to lecture, write and served on various committees such as National Advisory Council on Culture, National Human Rights Commission and the Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group.
Upon finding out the news, Puan Sri Rathi Khoo shared her elation in a phone interview with The Vibes, remarking, “Prof Khoo has always been devoted to the nation, and he’s always been a Malaysian at heart and never thought of anywhere else as home.
"I’m so proud that his contributions are being remembered. Our family is really grateful.” – The Vibes, December 29, 2022