SHAH ALAM – Malaysia's first female Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Asiah Abu Samah died at 5am at KPJ Damansara Hospital, today. She was 89.
According to a statement issued by her family, her funeral arrangements were scheduled to take place at Masjid At-Taqwa, Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, with funeral prayers to be held after Zohor prayers.
She will then be buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery.
Born on March 1, 1937, in Parit, Perak, Asiah dedicated more than three decades to Malaysia's education service, serving in various capacities before becoming the country's first female Education director-general.
Started her career as a teacher at Penang Free School in Penang after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Diploma in Education from the University of Malaya in Singapore in 1961.
Her career included serving as a lecturer at a teacher training college and principal of Kolej Tunku Kurshiah (TKC) from 1966 to 1970.
She subsequently held several senior positions within the Education Ministry, including deputy director of teacher training, director of curriculum and director of educational planning and research.
On Nov 27, 1991, she made history when she was appointed Eduation Director-General, a position she held until her retirement in 1993.
Her contributions extended beyond the ministry, including serving as corporate adviser for education at Land & General Berhad and as chairman of the governing board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) International Institute for Educational Planning.
She also served as a commissioner with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) from 2002 to 2010.
In recognition of her contributions and leadership, a 203-page biography titled "Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, A Woman of Substance" was published and launched in May 2023.
The biography was co-authored by five of her former students at TKC, namely Sharifah Maimunah Syed Zain, Asma Abdullah, Rodziah Ahmad Tajuddin, Rozita Rosli and Naziah Nawawie.
Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who was among her former students, officiated the launch and described Asiah as a humble figure whose influence extended beyond her words.
The biography documented her career, leadership and contributions to education, while recognising the influence she had on generations of students.