Asia-Europe Institute (AEI)

April 7, 2025

Memorial Forum in Honour of Professor Zawawi Ibrahim
Date: 16 April 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 2:00–5:00 pm
Venue: Auditorium, Asia-Europe Institute (AEI), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
Registration link: https://bit.ly/aeizawib

The Memorial Forum in Honour of Professor Zawawi Ibrahim is a tribute to the life and scholarly contributions of the late Zawawi Ibrahim, a distinguished figure in cultural anthropology, labour studies, indigenous studies, and Malaysian studies. His dedication to amplifying the voices of the marginalised and his critical perspectives on societal structures have left a profound impact on academia and beyond.

This forum will gather scholars, colleagues, and students to reflect on Zawawi’s legacy and the enduring relevance of his work. The event will feature commentary on “Issues for Debate” by Emeritus Professor Victor T. King (presented by Gareth Richards). This will be followed by a roundtable discussion with four distinguished speakers: 1) Distinguished Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin; 2) Professor Sharmani Patricia Gabriel; 3) Dr Chandra Muzaffar; 4) Dr Jun-E Tan, which will be moderated by Distinguished Professor Rajah Rasiah, Executive Director of AEI. The discussion will explore Zawawi’s scholarly contributions, particularly his ethnographic approach to studying labour and indigenous communities, his critiques of power structures, as well as his role in advocating for social justice through both academia and the creative arts. The event will feature a musical performance by his son, Hameer Zawawi and Rendra Zawawi. One of Zawawi’s closest friends, co-writer and editor, Gareth Richards, will deliver an “In Memoriam” eulogy at the end of the forum.

The forum will serve as an opportunity for scholars and the wider public to reflect on Zawawi’s academic contributions and engage in meaningful discourse about his work and its implications for contemporary research, policy and socio-cultural change. The event will conclude with light refreshments, allowing attendees to network and share personal memories of Zawawi.

This forum will not only be a remembrance of Zawawi Ibrahim’s legacy but also an inspiration for scholars and activists to continue his work in advocating for the marginalised and challenging dominant narratives in society.

Registration link: https://bit.ly/aeizawib

Tentative Schedule

Time	Activity
2:00pm	Registration & Arrival of Guests
2:30pm	Welcoming Speech by Dr. Adil Johan, Deputy Executive Director (Academics and Student Affairs) of Asia-Europe Institute
2:40pm	Issues for Debate by Prof. Victor T. King (Professor of Borneo Studies, Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Emeritus Professor of South East Asian Studies, University of Leeds), presented by Gareth Richards (Director, Gerakbudaya Bookshop, a former academic) Screening of Video Excerpt
3:00pm	Roundtable Discussion Distinguished Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Founding Director, Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Professor Sharmani Patricia Gabriel, Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement for a Just World (JUST) Dr. Jun-E Tan, Senior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute Moderator: Distinguished Professor Dato' Dr. Rajah Rasiah, Executive Director, Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya
4:10pm	Q&A Session
4:40pm	Musical Performance by Hameer Zawawi and Rendra Zawawi
4:50pm	"In Memoriam" by Gareth Richards
5:00pm	Closing Speech by Distinguished Professor Dato' Dr. Rajah Rasiah
5:10pm	Light Refreshments