Mutalib MD
We met at the First Malaysia-Asean Bloggers Forum in Kuala Lumpur in April 2012. Mutalib MD was then facing a lawsuit by a Cabinet Minister so everybody was looking forward to meet him. His news portal, the Sabahkini, had then become the main reference site for us here when it came to socio-political news concerning Sabah. Throughout the forum, Mutalib was engaging and unexpectedly soft-spoken. Those who had read his articles or one of his books would have expected to be talked down to by a loud, forceful character.
We'd met again several times in Bangsar and a couple of months before the May 5th general election I bumped into him at Lowyat, still as fearless as ever, still writing a few books at the same time, still trying to bring down the "bad guys".
This morning, sadly, Mutalib, just 51, returned to Rahmatullah.
Alfatehah.
Updates:
Alfatehah untuk Mutalib MD
Rest in Peace Mutalib.
ReplyDeleteA truly Brave and Noble son of Sabah.
You will be greatly missed.
Dear Dato Bru,
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely with your words. I too had the chance to meet Mutalib MD in Sabah on a couple of occasions. I never met a man more capable of engaging with the rural folk, highlighting their struggle where no other journalist in Malaysia has been capable of doing so.
I remember the first time I met him, after telling him what I did, he gave me a good look in the eyes and told me the secret to getting good attention was - Beautiful women in red. He let out a laugh and said that "The truth first".
If you are a regular reader of Sabahkini, you will know that Mutalib was a man who brought facts to the table, and championed the voice of the rural Sabahan folk. His agenda was never for anyone's interests, but always for what was right as the facts presented. He never spun, he only presented what was there.
My condolences go out to his wife and kids, Malaysia has lost a champion of the people today.
saya setuju....
ReplyDeleteal-fatehah... we lost a buddy
ReplyDeleteAlfatihah
ReplyDeleteCondolences Hero Mutalib.Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to the the Family.Always remember by sabahan.Hero of sabah.Rest in Peace
ReplyDeleteSalam Datuk,
ReplyDeleteCondolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Best regards
Freddie
Alfatihah. Let's hope that the spirit of fighting for the people continue..
ReplyDeleteAl Fatihah
ReplyDeleteAl-Fatihah. My mentor and a good friend indeed.
ReplyDeleteAl-fatihah
ReplyDeleteAl-fatihah
ReplyDeleteFatihah
ReplyDeleteAl-Fatihah and deepest condolences to the family. A great loss to Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteAlfatihah
ReplyDeleteInnalilllah ... Semoga roh Arwah ditempat bersama orang-orang yang beriman. Al-Fatehah
ReplyDeleteAl Fatihah.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace, Mutalib.
Condolences to the family on your loss. It is Malaysia's loss too.
Salam takziah kepada keluarga Arwah.
ReplyDeleteAlFatihah
PERWIRA