MALAYSIA. Syed Ahmad Syed Salim, CEO of Malaysia Airports (Niaga), also known as Eraman, passed away on Friday 15 December after losing his courageous battle against leukemia.
“He is greatly missed by us all,” a colleague told The Moodie Report on Friday.
The Moodie Report joins the industry in mourning this fine man and sending its condolences to his family, colleagues and team.
Comment: Syed Ahmad was the most dignified and gentle of men, writes Martin Moodie. He had immense presence, a tremendous pride in all things Malaysian and he cherished the multi-cultural, multi-religious fabric of Malaysian society. He worked harder than perhaps any other individual in the airports industry to ensure that his home airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, reflected the country’s traditions and culture.
Syed had fought his illness bravely and, it seemed, successfully through a long period of chemotherapy. In October he was visiting suppliers throughout Europe when he had a relapse from which he was not to recover. At The Moodie Report we were preparing to welcome him into the field at our annual Cannes golf tournament when he had to withdraw. I spoke to him in hospital the same day and he was a tired man, but gracious and kind as ever. As ever, he wished me well.
I shall really miss this lovely man, who always helped me whenever and however he could, especially when I first launched the company. He lit up our first Trinity Forum with his wide smile, engaging commitment and deep knowledge of the business. A man of huge stature in his native country, he will be mourned by all who knew him.
