KUALA LUMPUR: Academician and social activist Dr Wan Zawawi Wan Ibrahim, 75, died at 6.47am today following a heart attack.

The deceased's sister Datin Wan Hiyati when contacted by Bernama today, said her brother collapsed while preparing to perform his Subuh prayers at his home in Section 11, Petaling Jaya.

He leaves behind a widow, Noorshah Mohd Salleh, two sons and a daughter.

Dr Wan Zawawi also has another son from his previous marriage with Australian Dr Leslie O'Brien who now lives in Sydney.

Dr Wan Zawawi, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree holder from Monash University, Melbourne was a highly respected academic.

The anthropology professor and social activist, was also a singer and songwriter who had composed several songs with poetic lyrics and humanitarian elements that were sung either by him or other artistes.

Wan Zawawi composed the song 'Perjalanan Hidup' made popular by rock icon Datuk Ramli Sarip.

-- BERNAMA