Bangladesh’s veteran journalist ABM Musa died in Dhaka yesterday. Musa passed away at a city hospital where he had been hospitalised following old age complications since January. He was 83.
Born in Feni in 1931, Musa started his professional career in journalism with The Insaf in 1950. The highest civilian Ekushey Award recipient had a multi-dimensional experience in journalism, with a career spanning 60 years in the profession.
Musa was elected a member of parliament in the first national election of independent Bangladesh.
During the 1971 Independence War, Musa worked for the BBC and the Sunday Times.
After independence, he worked as general manager of the state-owned Bangladesh Television and editor for Morning News.
Musa was director general of the Bangladesh Press Institute from 1981 to 1985, and general manager and chief editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha state-run news agency from 1985 to 1987.
He left behind his wife, one son and one daughter.
Meanwhile, ruling Awami League lawmaker from Barisal-5 constituency Shawkat Hossain Hiron died at Apollo Hospital in Dhaka yesterday morning. He was 57.
Hiron, who had been undergoing treatment at the hospital, was declared dead at about 7am, said a hospital manager.
Hiron, also a former mayor of Barisal City Corporation, had been admitted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore on March 24 after he suffered a brain stroke and later he was brought back home from there on April 4, said a close friend of Hiron.