KEPALA BATAS: Popular entertainment journalist in the 1980s and 1990s, Huzz, whose real name is Kamal Huzaini Kamaludin, died at his brother’s home in Bertam Perdana here at 6.10pm Saturday (June 8). He was 58.

The news was confirmed by his sister, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, who said that Huzz was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in March and had been receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for nearly two months.

“He was allowed to leave the hospital in May and requested to stay with our second brother since his brother’s wife and son are doctors, and he was also receiving treatment at Penang Hospital.

“On Thursday (June 6), the doctor who was treating him informed us that my brother’s condition had become critical based on the cancer tissues spreading in his body, and we were told to prepare for the worst,” she said.

She said Huzz, who was the third of six siblings, passed away peacefully surrounded by all family members who had gathered since Friday (June 7) at the house in Bertam Perdana.

Nur-ul Afida said Huzz, who would have turned 59 in July, had wanted his siblings and family to be with him ever since he was brought to Bertam Perdana.

“He asked for all siblings and our mother to be with him here (Bertam Perdana) and when he took his last breath, we were all there,” she said, holding back tears.

She said the funeral will be held at the Permatang Langsat Muslim Cemetery here either Saturday night or early Sunday (June 9) morning.

Huzz’s last position was as senior editor at Utusan Karya. Throughout his career, he had worked at Harian Nasional, Kumpulan Karangkraf, Utusan Melayu, before being assigned to Utusan Karya to handle several magazines.

“Besides being known as Huzz, he was also known as the son of editor AR Kamarudin, who had worked at Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia,” she said.

Huzz had previously served as the editor of URTV magazine at Utusan Karya Sdn Bhd and was also popular for his gossip column “Sensasi Huzz” in the Pancaindera insert of Mingguan Malaysia.

He was also a lyricist, known for the song “Keangkuhan Mu”, sung by Ramlah Ram. – Bernama