Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Haji
Noor Hisham Abdullah
PSM PJN SPMS SPMP SSAP SSNS DMPN DPMP KMN
نورهشام بن عبدﷲ‎
Director-General of Health
In office
1 March 2013 – 21 April 2023
MonarchsAbdul Halim
(2013–2016)
Muhammad V
(2016–2019)
Abdullah
(2019–2023)
Prime MinisterNajib Razak
(2013–2018)
Mahathir Mohamad
(2018–2020)
Muhyiddin Yassin
(2020–2021)
Ismail Sabri Yaakob
(2021–2022)
Anwar Ibrahim
(2022–2023)
MinisterLiow Tiong Lai
(2013)
Subramaniam Sathasivam
(2013–2018)
Dzulkefly Ahmad
(2018–2020)
Adham Baba
(2020–2021)
Khairy Jamaluddin
(2021–2022)
Zaliha Mustafa
(2022–2023)
Preceded byHasan Abdul Rahman
Succeeded byMuhammad Radzi Abu Hassan
Deputy Director-General of Health (Medical)
In office
1 February 2008 – 1 March 2013
MonarchsMizan Zainal Abidin
(2008–2011)
Abdul Halim
(2011–2013)
Prime MinisterAbdullah Ahmad Badawi
(2008–2009)
Najib Razak
(2009–2013)
MinisterOng Ka Ting
(Acting) (2008)
Liow Tiong Lai
(2008–2013)
Director-GeneralHasan Abdul Rahman
Personal details
Born
Yew Ming Seong

(1963-04-21) 21 April 1963
Sepang, Selangor, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
CitizenshipMalaysian
SpouseNik Suwaida Nik Mohammad Mohyideen
Children6
EducationMethodist Boys' School
Kolej Islam Klang
Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah
Alma materNational University of Malaysia (MD, MCh)
ProfessionEndocrine surgeon
Known forOne of the most prominent leaders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia

Noor Hisham bin Abdullah (born Yew Ming Seong; 21 April 1963) is a Malaysian civil servant and endocrine surgeon who served as the Director-General of Health from March 2013 to his retirement in April 2023. Prior to his appointment as the Director-General, he served as the Deputy Director General of Health (Medical) from February 2008 to March 2013.[1]

Noor Hisham is also the current Chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (SCHEPPR),[2] President of Malaysia Medical Council (MMC),[3] as well as member of the Board of Directors of the Drug for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi).[4] In his role, he has been prominent in leading Malaysia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Early life and education

Born as Yew Ming Seong (姚明祥) on 21 April 1963 in Sepang, Selangor to a poor Chinese family of Fuzhou people descent,[6] he spent his childhood in a kampung at Sungai Pelek.[7] He was raised by his single mother after his parents separated since birth and had lived in the off Jalan Loke Yew's San Peng Flats, Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.[8][9] As a young school boy, he would walk with his younger sibling to the Methodist Boys' School (MBS) in Jalan Davidson where he acquired his early education.[10]

Forced by his family's poor condition, Yew was then adopted by an Ustaz who was the principal of the Kolej Islam Klang (KIK) where he continued his upper secondary studies before continuing his pre-university education at Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS), Cheras.[11] Later he married his adoptive father's biological daughter; at about that time, he changed his name to Noor Hisham Abdullah.[6]

Yew also had obtained a medical doctorate degree in 1988 and a Master in Surgery in 1994, both from National University of Malaysia (UKM).[12] He went on to specialise in endocrine surgery and did his training in various universities in Adelaide and Sydney, Australia.[8][13]

Medical career

Medical practice (1988–2023)

Dr. Noor Hisham started his medical career as a houseman at the Kuala Lumpur University Hospital in 1988, and later specialising in the Accident and Emergency Department in 1989.

After he received his Master of Surgery, he became a general surgeon in Hospital Terengganu in 1994. After 3 years as a general surgeon, Dr Noor Hisham received an endocrinology fellowship training at various institutes in Australia.

After completing his fellowship training, Dr. Noor Hisham was appointed as the Head of the Breast and Endocrine Surgery Unit at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital in 1999. Three years later, in 2002, he took on the role of Head and Senior Consultant of Breast and Endocrine Surgery at Putrajaya Hospital, a position that he currently holds.

Noor Hisham has received the Excellent Service Award (2000), Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) and Excellent Service Award (2004), Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department (JKWPKL) for the recognition of his service in a medical career.[1][14]

Director-General of Health (2013–2023)

Noor Hisham served as the Deputy Director-General of Health (Medical) for 5 years from February 2008 before being promoted and prior to serving as the Director-General of Health in March 2013.[15]

Role during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia

Dr. Noor Hisham is the director-general in charge during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Following the 2020 Malaysian political crisis, Noor Hisham took over from press briefings after new Health Minister Adham Baba gave a widely criticized first briefing where he falsely claimed that warm water can protect from COVID-19.[5] Noor Hisham's briefings were praised for their calm and clarity during the crisis.[10]

In April 2020, he was picked to join an international coalition dedicated to clinical research involving COVID-19.[16][17] The China Global TV Network (CGTN), had recognised Dr Noor Hisham as among the “top doctors” of the world alongside America's Dr Anthony Fauci and New Zealand's Dr Ashley Bloomfield for the handling of COVID-19 pandemic approach.[13][18] He also was named again among the COVID-19 heroic trio by Singaporean news outlet, The Independent.[19]

Recognition and accolades

On 4 July 2020, Noor Hisham was awarded the '2019 Most Notable Alumni' by his alma mater UKM's Medical Faculty.[20] On 17 July, he received the BrandLaureate Award 2020 for Outstanding Brand Leadership along with the 'Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation' for Ministry of Health by the World Brand Foundation.[21][22] On 19 August, he was named as the recipient of the national level Maal Hijrah Figure Award 2020AD/1442AH.[23] Noor Hisham received the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest honour given by them to individuals who have contributed to good causes, from the club Kuala Lumpur chapter on 13 September.[24] On 18 December, women's magazine Nona honoured him with a special Nona Frontliner Award during the Nona Superwoman Award 2020 presentation.[25][26] On 20 December, he was presented a special award during the Anugerah MeleTOP Era 2020 (AME 2020) jointly hosted by Astro's both MeleTOP television entertainment programme and ERA radio station.[27][28]

On 18 March 2021, a year since the first COVID-19 pandemic Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed, in which he spearheaded the fight against, Noor Hisham received the Ibn Khaldun Merit Award by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) from its chancellor Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.[29][30] Noor Hisham received the International Surgical Fellowship Award from the International Society of Surgery (ISS) during the 'Virtual Surgical Week' (VSW 2021) held from 30 August to 3 September.[31] On 15 December, the Nona magazine presented Noor Hisham again, who had received 2020 Nona Superwoman Award a year earlier, for the main 2021 Nona Superhero Award this time.[32][33] On 18 December, Noor Hisham awarded 2021 Leadership Award by the Malaysia Public Relations and Communication Association (PRCA) to recognises and honours his dedication in giving interviews to keep the public updated.[34]

In October 2020, Noor Hisham appeared as an animated character along with characters from BoBoiBoy franchise in a one-minute public service announcement to remind Malaysians to take steps to prevent COVID-19.[35][36]

Retirement

On 10 April 2023, it was reported that Noor Hisham was set to retire from his career after 35 years and serving as Director-General of Health for slightly more than a decade on 21 April 2023 as he would reach 60 and the mandatory retirement age for civil servants.[37] On 19 April 2023, Noor Hisham clocked out for the last time and had his last day at the Ministry of Health. He shared that his post-retirement plan was to take a rest after long work.[38]

Controversies and issues

Controversial political tweets and posts

In 2018, Noor Hisham was criticised for his politically inclined retweets. These tweets were viewed as pro-Barisan Nasional, who were the then-ruling coalition during the 2018 general election (GE14) campaign. One of his retweets was a message by former Prime Minister Najib Razak's, containing a photo announcing the ceremony of the Hospital Kajang women and children's complex with a verse of his hopes for BN's return to the state power of Selangor. Prior to that, Noor Hisham had also retweeted another message from Najib that showed a picture of Najib on a visit to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, sending that BN would implement more for mothers and children if it continues to be given the mandate.[39]

Noor Farida Ariffin, a spokesperson for G25 (a group of eminent ex-civil servants of Malaysia), stated that Noor Hisham was abusing his position as public servants were not supposed to campaign for any political party. A founding member of G25 and former Treasury secretary-general, Mohd Sheriff Kassim said that the Ministry of Health should lodge a complaint against Noor Hisham to the Election Commission (EC).[39]

The electoral reform group, Bersih 2.0, also gave criticism to Noor Hisham by stating that he was in breach of public service regulations. He was named in Bersih's 'Hall Of Shame' alongside Najib. Bersih has stated that they were appalled that the Ministry of Health allowed its Facebook page to promote BN's manifesto during the GE14 campaign.[40]

SOP breach allegation

On March 21, 2021, photos of Noor Hisham were circulated online showing him going against the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the ongoing conditional MCO. The photos display Noor Hisham and other family members standing closely without any face masks for a photo-op during a wedding reception of his daughter, Khairin Afiqah. As a result, Noor Hisham has been criticised online for not setting a good example to the public.[41][42]

Ineffective health DG claims

In July 2021, the former health DG Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Ismail Merican rebuked Noor Hisham as a "toothless tiger" for not being effective in leading the nation's COVID-19 pandemic management by failing to be firm with decisions, as well as being pressured by politicians.[43] Dr Mohamed Ismail, who was the former position holder in charge of the 2003 SARS outbreak, opined that if politicians tried to interfere, they would be told to stay calm and stop meddling.[44]

Personal life

Noor Hisham is married to Nik Suwaida Nik Mohyideen and has six children; four sons and two daughters. He also has a son from a previous marriage. [45][25]

Noor Hisham having a lanky physique is an avid sportsman since his younger days.[8] He was a school athlete, played football during university days and enjoys scuba diving including underwater photography.[10] His hidden singing talent was revealed after an old video clip of him rendering the Shanghai Beach or Seung Hoi Tan (上海灘), a famous 1980s Cantopop song, resurfaced on social media.[46][47] He is also known as a multilingual, being able to communicate fluently in English, Malay, several Chinese regional languages, including his native Foochow colloquial, and even a little Tamil.[6][10]

Honours

Honours of Malaysia

Honorary degrees

References

  1. 1 2 "Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan" [Health Director-General]. Ministry of Health (Malaysia) (in Malay). Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham heads new WHO committee on pandemic response". The Star. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "President: Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Noor Hisham bin Abdullah: MMC: Council Members". Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). 11 November 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "DNDi - Our Governance - Board of Directors: Noor Hisham Abdullah - Director General of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia". www.dndi.org. 11 November 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 "How mismanagement has fuelled Malaysia's coronavirus surge". South China Morning Post. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "Did You Know about the Life of: Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah". Malaysian Youth Community (MYC). 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "生于雪邦华裔家庭 · 诺希山从小立志当医生" [Born in a Chinese family, Noor Hisham wishes to become a doctor since early childhood]. Sin Chew Daily (in Chinese). 29 March 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Gan Swit Peng (18 April 2020). "Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Bin Abdullah - Our Boy Is Now A Globally Recognised Breast Endocrine Surgeon!". Catching Up With Our Old Boys. Methodist Boys' Secondary School Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  9. ↑ "A humble man, that's Noor Hisham". Malaysia Gazette. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Elena Koshy (2 August 2020). "The reluctant hero: A candid conversation with Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah". New Straits Times. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. ↑ Nor Ashaha, Nurul Riduan (5 April 2020). "Manusia paling popular di Malaysia" [The most popular man in Malaysia]. Sinar Harian (in Malay). Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah – DNDi". www.dndi.org. 11 November 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Dr Noor Hisham – the man of the hour". The Star. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  14. ↑ Arisha Rozaidee. "5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About National Hero Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah". Says.com. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Who is Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the man now lauded as a "national hero"". Cilisos.my. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  16. ↑ "Health DG DR Noor Hisham joins global scientists to fight Covid-19". Bernama. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2021 – via The Sun.
  17. ↑ "Noor Hisham terpilih sertai saintis dunia lakukan kajian perangi COVID-19" [Noor Hisham chosen to join scientists on researches to combat COVID-19]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 3 April 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  18. ↑ "China's CGTN names Dr Noor Hisham one of world's top doctors". The Star. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  19. ↑ Tan Bah Bah (25 October 2020). "Drs Noor Hisham, Bloomfield and Fauci, COVID's heroic trio". The Independent. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham awarded UKM Medical Faculty 2019 Most Notable Alumni". The Sun Daily. 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  21. ↑ Hana Naz Harun (17 July 2020). "Dr Noor Hisham receives Outstanding Brand Leadership Award". New Straits Times. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  22. ↑ Noor Atiqah Sulaiman (17 July 2020). "Dr Noor Hisham, KKM terima Anugerah BrandLaureate" [Dr Noor Hisham, KKM received the BrandLaureate Award] (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham named national 2020 Maal Hijrah figure". Malay Mail. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  24. ↑ "Health DG made Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow". Malay Mail. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  25. 1 2 Norzalina (17 July 2021). "'Isteri Saya Adalah Orang Terpenting Di Rumah' Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah". Nona (in Malay). Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  26. ↑ Rosmah Idayu (21 December 2020). "NONA SUPERWOMAN 2020 Raikan Kejayaan Wanita Pencetus Inspirasi". Nona (in Malay). Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  27. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham terima anugerah khas AME 2020" [Dr Noor Hisham receive special award AME 2020]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  28. ↑ "Tan Sri Noor Hisham terima Anugerah Khas AME 2020" [Tan Sri Noor Hisham receive Special Award AME 2020]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 21 December 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham receives 'Ibn Khaldun Merit Award' on behalf of frontliners". The Star Online. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  30. ↑ Danial Yusof (24 October 2020). "IIUM will present Ibn Khaldun Merit Award to front liners". International Islamic University Malaysia. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  31. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham receives international surgical fellowship award". The Star Online. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  32. ↑ "Nona Superhero Award Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham". Nona (in Malay). Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Nona Superhero Award - Teaser Superhero: List Superhero Award: 2021". Nona (in Malay). 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  34. ↑ "Health DG Dr Noor Hisham awarded PRCA Malaysia Leadership Award". The Borneo Post. 18 December 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  35. ↑ Mumtaj Begum (23 October 2020). "WATCH: Dr Noor Hisham as an animated character in a one minute PSA video". The Star Online. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  36. ↑ Aref Omar (23 October 2020). "#Showbiz: Boboiboy fighting Covid-19 with Dr Noor Hisham". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  37. ↑ "Well-earned rest for health chief". The Star. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "Health DG Noor Hisham retires". The Star. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  39. 1 2 Michael Murty (20 April 2018). "Health chief under fire for 'disgraceful' pro-BN retweets". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  40. ↑ "Najib named in Bersih's 'Hall of Shame'". Malaysiakini. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  41. ↑ Syahrul (22 March 2021). "Did Dr. Noor Hisham Flout SOPs During Daughter's Recent Wedding?". Hype. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  42. ↑ Jamilah Kamarudin (22 March 2021). "Dr Noor Hisham Nafi langgar SOP rai majlis kahwin anak" (in Malay). MSN News. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  43. ↑ "Ex-health DG slams 'toothless tiger' Noor Hisham for not putting a foot down in govt's virus handling". The Vibes. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  44. ↑ Raevathi Supramaniam (17 July 2021). "Noor Hisham 'a toothless tiger', says former health D-G". The Malaysian Insight. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  45. ↑ "Here Are 7 Things You Should Know About Our Health DG, Dr Noor Hisham". WORLD OF BUZZ. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  46. ↑ "Four-year-old clip showing Dr Noor Hisham singing 'Shanghai Beach' resurfaces, wins praise from social media users (VIDEO)". Malay Mail. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  47. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham Croons Cantonese Song "Shanghai Bund", Wins Hearts All Over". The Rakyat Post. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  48. ↑ "Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's birthday honours list". The Star. 2 June 2007. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  49. ↑ "Noor Hisham made Tan Sri in birthday honours". Bernama. Free Malaysia Today. 17 August 2020. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  50. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham terima gelaran Tan Sri". Berita Harian (in Malay). 17 August 2020. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  51. ↑ "Sultan of Johor heads Perlis' honours list" (PDF). Borneo Post. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  52. ↑ "Juanda antara 207 penerima pingat Perlis". Malaysiakini (in Malay). 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  53. ↑ "199 Individu Terima Darjah Kebesaran Pahang". Bernama (in Malay). 5 April 2014. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via mStar.
  54. ↑ "Pandikar Amin Dahului Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran TYT Pulau Pinang". Bernama (in Malay). 26 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via mStar.
  55. ↑ "King heads Selangor Sultan's 75th birthday honours list". Bernama. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  56. ↑ "Agong terima Darjah Kerabat Selangor". Berita Harian (in Malay). 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top officials head honours list". The Star. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  58. ↑ "272 receive Negeri Sembilan state honours". Bernama. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  59. ↑ "Dr Noor Hisham awarded honorary doctorate in leadership in public health by UKM". Bernama. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021 – via The Sun.
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