PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA December 30, 2025 – The nation is saddened by the news of the passing of Dato’ Dr. Madeline Berma, Senior Fellow at the Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA), who died today at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at the age of 64.
The sorrowful announcement was made by Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, via a social media post. He expressed profound sadness and grief over the departure of a renowned scholar and highly respected economic thinker.
“Sarawak and Malaysia have lost a renowned scholar and great economic thinker who was deeply respected,” Fadillah stated in the post. He added that the late Dr. Madeline Berma had dedicated her entire professional life to the development of the nation and the well-being of its people.
Her significant contributions, particularly through in-depth research in economic development, public policy, poverty, and social inequality, have greatly helped shape national policy thinking and direction. Her views and research findings were often key references, not only among academics but also among policymakers at the national level.
Throughout her service as a Professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and her leadership at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Dr. Madeline Berma strengthened the nation’s intellectual discourse, produced many scholars, and guided generations of policymakers with knowledge rooted in social justice and shared prosperity.
Her passing is a great loss not only to the academic world but also to Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole. Nevertheless, her contributions, knowledge, and intellectual legacy will continue to live on and will always be remembered as a guide for future generations.
Fadillah also extended condolences to the entire family of the deceased.
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