Prominent academic Hoo dies

One of Malaysia’s most prominent economists Prof Hoo Kee Ping died today, hours before he was scheduled to appear as a panellist in an online discussion on Covid-19 vaccinations.

It is learnt that Hoo, 70, suffered a heart attack at his home this morning.

He was slated to appear in a webinar tonight entitled “Vaccine: How far can it be the saviour?”, alongside several public health experts.

Hoo was sought after for his knowledge on Malaysian current affairs, and had been a frank commentator on contemporary politics and economics.

His last stint was at the Kingsley Strategic Institute, a Kuala Lumpur-based think tank on Asia Pacific issues, where he served as an adviser.

In one of his final writings which was also published by MalaysiaNow, Hoo predicted that a combined strength of Perikatan Nasional (PN), PAS and Barisan Nasional would trounce Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election.

He however said the alliance would see the diminishing role of Umno which once dominated the government.

Instead, Hoo said the three parties would use a narrative of nationalism and Malay domination in facing PH.

He said any electoral pact among the three Malay political blocs could see Bersatu, Umno and PAS winning between 90 and 100 parliamentary seats, in addition to seats from others under the PN bloc.

He also said he would make it his “personal campaign” to convince Chinese voters to accept the union of Malay political blocs.

“As long as Umno is not singlehandedly dominant, the Chinese will be prepared for Malay unity in its new diversity,” Hoo wrote.