KUALA LUMPUR – Sinar Harian editor-in-chief Datuk Baharom Mahusin died at University Malaya Medical Centre here this morning. He was 54.
Appointed to the post in 2019, he was responsible for improving the Malay-language newspaper’s quality and identifying its direction to strengthen the Sinar Harian brand.
The Kuantan-born Baharom was editor of Kosmo! for 10 years, from 2008 and 2018. He was in journalism for 28 years, before retiring through the Utusan voluntary separation scheme in December 2018.
According to Sinar Harian, he held a bachelor’s degree in writing from Universiti Malaya. He then worked as a reporter, writer and correspondent for Utusan Malaysia in London between 1994 and 1997.
Baharom also served as a columnist, news editor, assistant editor at Mingguan Malaysia (2000-2002), editor at Massa magazine and senior news editor at Utusan Malaysia.
His remains will be buried at the Taman Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim cemetery here today, with funeral prayers to be held at Bilal Rabah Mosque in Taman Koperasi Polis.
Meanwhile, Karangkraf board chairman Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub said Baharom had battled complications arising from a blood infection, reported Bernama.
“I have witnessed that the deceased was a good man. May Allah place him in the best of places.”
In a tweet last night, he mentioned that Baharom’s health had been on the decline.
The Vibes managing editor Terence Fernandez said Baharom’s loss was a big blow to Sinar Harian, which is currently the most independent mainstream Malay media outlet.
This is also following the loss of another stalwart, editorial executive adviser Datuk Jalil Ali, on August 8.
“Baharom was appointed only in April last year to steer Sinar Harian in the midst of the impending economic crisis and sluggish media landscape.
“Then, Covid-19 and political change came along, and made his job all that more tough, but his editorial leadership ensured Sinar Harian prevailed, and it continued to provide balanced, informative and quality content.”
Fernandez, who was a contributor to Sinar Harian, said Baharom appreciated his articles, which provided a non-Malay perspective to Malay readers, and published them largely unedited.
“I was just getting to know Baharom on a personal level, so his sudden passing at such a young age is difficult to accept.
“We at The Vibes convey our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire Sinar Harian and Karangkraf family.
“However, they are a resilient group, and I know they will find new strength in their loss and grief to carry on under the leadership of chairman Datuk Husamuddin Yaacob.”
Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid conveyed his condolences to Baharom’s family and friends, as well as the Sinar Harian team. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
