KUALA LUMPUR, November 7 — Historian and academic Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Zainal Kling passed away at Shah Alam Hospital at 4.30 am today. He was 80 years old.

He was the former holder of the Malay Rulers’ Chair at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) at Universiti Malaya (UM).

His son Reza Safri Zainal said his father’s body is currently being managed at Surau Seksyen 3, Shah Alam for funeral arrangements.

“(He received treatment) at Shah Alam Hospital for three days. He was brought there when his health deteriorated due to complications from diabetes. “The bodies will be buried in the Islamic Cemetery in Seksyen 21, Shah Alam, after the noon prayer today,” he said.

Zainal began his career as a faculty member at UM in 1967 and was appointed Adjunct Lecturer in February 1974.

He served as Associate Professor from December 1977 to 1992 and was appointed Professor in 1992.

He also held many important positions throughout his life, such as Director of the National Integration Research Center (UPSI) at Pendidikan Sultan Idris University and Head of the History Cluster at the National Professors Council (MPN).

Before his death, he was also vice-chairman of the Malay Civilization Board (ADAB). — Bernama