His wife, Suzrina Shamsuddin, said Sabaruddin died at 5.28 am after nearly two weeks of treatment for a lung infection. His remains were brought to Masjid Jamek FRIM for funeral prayers after Zuhur, before being laid to rest at Bukit Lagong Muslim Cemetery, Taman Ehsan, Kepong, Selangor. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Sabaruddin began his journalism career at Bernama Economic Service (BES) in 1985, before moving on to Utusan Malaysia. At BES, most assignments were conducted in English — from press releases and press conferences to major international and corporate events. Reporters were expected to cover everything from AGMs and EGMs to product launches and business briefings.
I remember Saba as cheerful and easygoing. I cannot recall a moment when he was grumpy or complained. He was hardworking and sharp, producing numerous exclusives — perhaps the very reason Utusan later sought him out.
After his time in print journalism, Sabaruddin ventured into the corporate sector, including a stint at Bridgecon Holdings Bhd, before joining Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), where he gained national recognition as the host of Selamat Pagi Malaysia.
He also served as a special officer to the late Information Minister, Zainuddin Maidin (ZAM).
Beyond the newsroom, Saba was deeply committed to strengthening regional media ties. He was actively involved in establishing the Malaysia–Indonesia Journalists Association (ISWAMI), helping foster professional bonds and friendships between journalists from both countries.
He was also passionate about sports, especially hockey, and played a key role in forming Bernama’s hockey team in the late 1980s, which regularly competed in media and government tournaments.
Sabaruddin spent the final phase of his career in the private sector and retired last year from Alam Flora Sdn Bhd.
Tributes poured in following his passing. Former Bernama Editor-in-Chief Datuk Yong Soo Heong described him as jovial and recalled the many light-hearted moments they shared at BES.
Bernama Special Projects Editor Govind Nair said Saba would be dearly missed, while former Bernama Editor Kuah Guan Oo remembered him for his warm personality and prayed for blessings upon him.
Friends — myself included — fondly recall receiving doa and gentle reminders every Friday from Saba.
Many former colleagues from Bernama, Utusan, RTM, NST and other media organisations gathered at Masjid Jamek FRIM to pay their last respects.
A close friend, Norazli Noh, 62, described Sabaruddin as someone who truly lived up to the meaning of his name — “Sabar”, a man marked by patience, courtesy and dedication.
“If he started a task, he would make sure it was completed to the best of his ability,” said Norazli, a former RTM presenter. Norazli also recalled their memorable involvement in ISWAMI, under the leadership of Tan Sri Rais Yatim, an initiative aimed at strengthening ties between journalists from Malaysia and Indonesia.
“At the grassroots level, we worked to foster understanding between Malaysians and Indonesians. Sabaruddin played a key role as a bridge between both sides — a contribution that will not be forgotten,” he said.
Norazli noted that Sabaruddin’s experience as an economics journalist, coupled with his extensive network among corporate leaders and media colleagues — including during his time at Utusan Malaysia — made him a trusted reference point on regional matters, particularly those involving Indonesia.
“Every time during National Press Day in Indonesia, he would play the leading role in bringing Malaysian journalists there, and he was also the one who coordinated visits by Indonesian journalists to Malaysia,” he added.
Meanwhile, veteran TV3 journalist Muhammad Fairuz Mansor, 57, said Sabaruddin’s passing was a major loss to Malaysia’s journalism fraternity.
“He was not only disciplined, but also a unifying figure who strengthened ties among media practitioners across organisations and borders,” he said, adding that Sabaruddin was widely known for his calm demeanour and his ability to defuse tense situations.
Muhammad Fairuz also shared that they had planned to produce a journalism podcast this year — with the aim of passing on the values of integrity and accountability to the younger generation.
An Indonesian veteran journalist and former Antara Editor-in-Chief, Kama Asro Rokan, described Sabaruddin as a respected figure in regional journalism who played an important role in strengthening Malaysia–Indonesia relations through media diplomacy.
“To Saba, the two nations were siblings born of the same mother — the Malay world. He was a familiar presence at Indonesia’s National Press Day, including in Solo in 2018, where he was remembered with a smile, proudly wearing a Javanese blangkon.
Pak Saba has now gone ahead, joining dear friends who have departed before him. And one day, we too will follow — if not today, then tomorrow, or the day after.
We accept this with sincerity, like trees that gently release their leaves when the time comes.
Farewell, my friend. This morning, rain continues to fall over Jakarta.
May he be granted peace in the hereafter. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun. (Jakarta, Jan 12, 2026)”
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