Veteran journalist and noted columnist ABM Musa passed away yesterday at the capital’s Labaid Hospital. He was 83.
He breathed his last as the life support was removed at 1:15pm, said public relations officer of the hospital Saiful Islam. Musa was put on life support on April 7, in critical condition.
The journalist’s family said he had been suffering from old-age complications and was hospitalised on March 29.
Musa’s first funeral was held at Iqbal Road ground in the capital’s Mohammadpur area following Maghrib Prayers. His body was then sent to Labaid mortuary.
The second funeral will be held at National Press Club today at 9am. A third funeral has been scheduled at 11am on the parliament premises following which he will be laid to rest. The place of burial is yet to be finalised.
In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, House Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia have expressed profound shock at the demise of the veteran journalist.
Born in 1931 in Feni, Musa began his career as a journalist in 1950 at the Dainik Insaf. He then joined the Pakistan Observer and continued there till 1971.
He played a very important role during the Liberation War through his reporting for the BBC, the Sunday Times and some other international media outlets.
Following the independence of the country, he took charge as editor of Morning News and then joined Bangladesh Television as Director General.
In 1978, he began his role as the regional director of ESCAP and in 1981 he became the Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh where worked till 1985. From 1985 to 1987, he served as the Managing Director and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
Musa was the founding member and former president of the National Press Club. The renowned journalist also served as a lawmaker during his impressive career.
