KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) journalist, Abang Kamarudin Abang Bolhassan, 67, died at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Centre (UKMSC) Sunday night after suffering from breathing difficulties.
His son, Abang Farizal Abang Kamarudin said his father died at about 11pm Sunday.
“He had complained of breathing difficulties last night (Sunday) and was rushed by ambulance to UKMSC before being pronounced dead at the hospital.
“He was suffering from blood cancer before this, and in fact, had just got out of hospital on Oct 21,” Abang Farizal said when contacted by Bernama yesterday.
Abang Kamarudin’s remains were brought home to Taman Cheras Permata before taken to the General Operations Force (GOF) Al-Amin mosque in Cheras for prayers, and later laid to rest at the Kampung Melaka Muslim cemetery, also in Cheras.
Abang Kamarudin joined Bernama in 1983 and retired in 2005.
Bernama Head of Strategic Planning Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the late Abang Kamarudin was a very composed man and liked by many.
“Calm and collected and always smiling, he was very approachable if there are things to be discussed,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bernama’s English sub-editor and former colleague, Yeap Boo Yam said the late Abang Kamarudin was an easy going individual who was always composed when under pressure.
“We used to work together in the English subs-desk, work is always tense there but I always remember him as someone who was cool even when under intense pressure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said the deceased was one of his closest acquaintances.
He said they had known each other since the early 1970s when Abang Kamarudin worked as a reporter at Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) in Kuching, Sarawak.
“We contacted each other constantly during his one-month-long treatment at UKMSC and he updated me on his treatment. He said he had to undergo chemotherapy after been diagnosed with leukaemia.
“I lost one of my closest friends. On behalf of Bernama, I would like to express our condolences to his family and we pray that his soul will be placed among the believers,” he added. – Bernama