Only three weeks ago, former judge Harun Hashim had participants of a national human rights conference in Kuala Lumpur in stitches with his wit and dry humour.

During the question and answer session on the judiciary and human rights, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) deputy chief had spoken about declining standards among lawyers and judges.

It was a familiar topic to the man who had been instrumental in establishing the Judicial and Legal Training Institute under the Prime Minister's Department

in December 1993.

His death from a heart attack at 3.30am today came as a shock to his family and those who knew him over a long career that spanned the civil service and judiciary before he was appointed to Suhakam in April 2000. He leaves behind wife Nik Esah and six children.

The funeral was held at the Kampung Tunku Muslim cemetery in Petaling Jaya, following afternoon prayers at the nearby Section 14 mosque.

Harun, 74, was admitted to a private hospital in Damansara on Sunday night. His sister-in-law, who declined to be named, said he had complained of chest pains after returning home from dinner and that he had taken some medicine before going to bed.

"But the pain persisted and he started perspiring. We took him to the hospital but he collapsed upon arrival. He had never complained before about any pain or discomfort," she said.

However, his family does have a history of heart problems. A son and a younger brother had died of heart attacks, although Harun himself had apparently remained in good health up to now.

Last respects

Among those who paid their last respects were Harun's current and former colleagues, senior lawyers, opposition leaders, religious personalities, as well as social and political activists.

A busload of International Islamic University students and staff arrived around 11am, adding to the steady stream of dignitaries who called at his house in Petaling Jaya.

Lawyers Karpal Singh and his son Ram Karpal, former Bar Council presidents Raja Aziz Addruse and Dr Cyrus V Das, former appellate judge VC George and former Court of Appeal president Lamin Yunus were among those present.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Dr Syed Husin Ali, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang and vice-chairperson Tan Seng Giaw, Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, social activist Hishamuddin Rais, PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa and former PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar also paid their last respects.

Karpal described Harun as "one of the last Mohicans", referring to the ex-judge's principled stand favouring individual rights over state power.

"He was a good judge who was respected by all and was bold in his decisions. He was one of the most independent judges I've ever met because he delivered decisions without fear or favour," he said.

"He certainly left his mark in judicial circles. As a deputy public prosecutor, he was a fair and highly principled man. He was brave enough to withdraw charges against accused persons if, in the course of the trial, the charge did not appear to be borne out on the prosecution's evidence."

Karpal said although Harun's decisions were usually overturned on appeal, these remained a re-assertion of the judiciary's independence.

"That did not deter him from making similar decisions again," he said, adding that Harun was never known to lose his temper or ridicule lawyers in court.

"In fact, he was very helpful to young lawyers and he was a humble person. He will definitely be missed."

Karpal said Harun was also the driving force in Suhakam, noting that "it is very unfortunate that he was not made the Suhakam chief".

Legal reforms

Echoing Karpal's views, Das said Harun had a "very strong sense of independence which he showed throughout his judicial career, together with a sense of impartiality".

"These are qualities much appreciated by lawyers. He leaves behind a judicial legacy knowing that his decisions have brought about changes."

Das said Harun's weekly 'Benchmark' column in the News Straits Times had made important contributions to legal reforms and values.

"These revealed a person who thought a lot about legal values and how to improve the constitutional structure in line with our society's multi-racial background," he said.

Former Court of Appeal judge VC George said: "He had a great sense of humour. I once said during a dinner function that I wanted to emulate Harun."

Harun was a member of several committees under the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim), including one studying the Evidence Act to streamline it with syariah principles.

He was also on the syariah and civil technical committee, playing a key role in drafting syariah laws.

Harun had the distinction of being the first Anti-Corruption Agency director-general in 1967 before being appointed high court judge in 1971. He was elevated to the supreme court in 1988 and subsequently retired in 1994.

Lamin said that, as his senior, Harun was very open and spoke his mind.

"He was a pleasant man. He had words for everything and was a character unto himself with a bearing of his own. He had presence."