Tribute to Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim

 

When I read the news about the passing of Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim from a Facebook post by a mutual friend, Edey Suresh, with a photograph of them together, I was deeply saddened.

 

At my book launch event, December 2022;
Dr Badrul [First row, second from Left]

Without a moment’s hesitation, I reached Edey to ask him for more information. And learnt that Dr Badrul bravely battled on but he lost to that dreadful disease.

 

My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family of Dr Badrul. No words can comfort especially at the loss of one who was as special as Dr Badrul.

 

I echo the words of Edey who said that Dr Badrul was one who carried himself as thoughtful, kind and always approachable… he was one who chose to listen first.

 

I last met with Dr Badrul as the CEO of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) in December 2022 when he honoured me with his presence at the book launch of, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the third and final instalment to complete the trilogy of My Johor Stories. The launch of this book was delayed due to the global pandemic.

 

Book Three of My Johor Stories,
delivered to IRDA in 2023

Soon after my third book was launched, IRDA ordered a stock of Book Three, continuing the friendship and support for My Johor Stories started by previous IRDA Chief Executive, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, who specially ordered Book One (launched in 2017) and Book Two (launched in 2018) from MPH Publishing to present as IRDA corporate premium items.

 

Looking back, I first met with Dr Badrul in 2015 when he was then the Johor Tourism Director, on an introductory walkabout at the Johor Bahru heritage quarter, escorted by none other than our Johor cultural activist, Mr Tan Chai Puan.

 

While I was busy working on the first volume of My Johor Stories, Dr Badrul went on to become Yang Dipertua, Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah. We met again at several community events including one exciting event at Legoland Malaysia Resort in 2017.

 

Me [Right] chatting with Dr Badrul
at the Grants Programme event, Oct 2022

When the economy reopened after the global pandemic and lockdowns, people were still reluctant to gather. As such, the Downtown Johor Baru Grants Programme was initiated to bring life back into the city. In October 2022, this Grants Programme was launched with the grantees in a simple event.

 

My Johor Stories and I were among the grantees who met with Dr Badrul and it was my pleasure to share with him, the plans for a My Johor Stories Heritage Walk in Downtown Johor Bahru. These Heritage Walks, which kicked off in January 2023, gained much interest and participation continued regularly into 2024 and 2025.

 

It is my privilege to honour the memory of Datuk Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim with these precious recollections. Rest in Peace, Dr Badrul.