PROMINENT historian Datuk Dr Shahrom Ahmat died earlier today at the age of 86 at the Gleneagles Hospital in Penang.
A pioneering fellow of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academic alumni, Shahrom went on to lead institutions such as the Disted College after retiring from USM, where he last held the position of deputy vice-chancellor.
Shahrom was also active in the Penang civil society, where he lent his voice to many heritage and historical narratives of his adopted state of Penang.
Among those who extended his condolences was Penang Forum executive committee member Dr Lim Mah Hui, who praised Shahrom for his commitment to helping make Penang a better place.
Shahrom would be laid to rest at the Sungai Gelugor Mosque, just metres away from the main USM campus in Sungai Dua.
His son is Dr Azmi Sharom, 57, the current deputy chairman of the Election Commission, and a respected columnist on law matters previously.
Azmi had taught law at Universiti Malaya. - April 23, 2026.
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