Kuala Lumpur: Former Utusan Malaysia entertainment journalist Rosli Manah is bedridden after complications from diabetes and a brain infection left him struggling to speak and requiring long-term care.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rosli, who is 58 and affectionately known as 'Che Li' among friends and artistes, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Kajang Hospital. He was later moved to the Red Zone for close monitoring. His condition worsened after he missed his prescribed medication, resulting in a serious infection that impaired his speech, as explained by his wife, Asma Ghani.
At the hospital, Asma shared, "He only responds when asked, but he still recognises familiar faces." Doctors have already performed two spinal fluid procedures and are considering a third surgery to address the persistent infection. With Asma currently unemployed, the family is financially dependent on their three sons, Dean Ilham, 29, Aasif Esfan, 28, and Daniel Ashman, 20, for support.
In a show of solidarity, notable figures from the arts community, including Datuk Freddie Fernandez, President of the Malaysian Artistes Association (KARYAWAN), and Niezam Abdullah, Deputy President of the Malaysian Entertainment Journalists and Writers Association (WHAM), visited Rosli. They were joined by veteran artiste Rozita Rohaizad to provide financial aid to the family.
Despite not being a KARYAWAN member, Rosli is celebrated for his contributions to Malaysia's creative industry through his extensive writing career. Freddie Fernandez emphasized the critical role journalists like Rosli have played in elevating artistes, expressing that they deserve support during challenging times. Niezam Abdullah praised Rosli as a dedicated writer who supported emerging talent and helped establish platforms like Kacak Bergaya in Mingguan Malaysia, URTV, and Mangga as crucial to the local entertainment scene.
Rosli dedicated over 25 years to Kumpulan Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, including serving as an editor for Mangga Online. Following the newspaper's closure in 2019, he turned to odd jobs, including selling food, to sustain his family.