KUALA LUMPUR: We have all heard the phrase "not all superheroes wear capes".
That saying is especially true for Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. Although he is merely dispensing his duties as the country's health director-general, Dr Noor Hisham has become the face of consistency and hope as Malaysia battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is no wonder then that #HappyBirthdayDGHisham is trending on Twitter today as he celebrates turning 57.
While he may not be able to celebrate it like how we normally celebrate our birthdays in light of the outbreak, one thing for sure is that he has messages pouring in from across the country and in various forms. Some post messages, while others exercise their creative skills and make video wishes.
What is certain is that Dr Noor Hisham and all his hardwork have made him a much-loved figure in the country and Malaysians are expressing their appreciation for him in various gestures.
A schoolgirl in Terengganu recently sent him a friendship band she made herself and most recently, Dr Noor Hisham's classmates from Methodist Boys' School Kuala Lumpur (MBSKL) put together a birthday wish for him.
Sharing it with the New Straits Times, the video features his former classmates, from the Class of 1980 as well as others from the school, sending him warm thoughts as he turns 57.
One of his classmates Datuk CG Tan remarked in the video how he has known Dr Noor Hisham since they were both in Standard 1.
"We are so proud of you," Tan said of Dr Noor Hisham's achievements.
Zainal Ashikin Rejab said Dr Noor Hisham has made them proud and prayed for Allah to ease things for him.
"A very warm happy birthday to our brother, you are 'ichi-ban' (number one), keep up the good work, remember take care of yourself," said Ng Boon Kuan, also from the class of 1980.
MBSKL Alumni Trustee Keith Thong in a message to the New Straits Times said Dr Noor Hisham is someone the country is very proud of right now.
"As his alumni, we have gathered his classmates and old boys to do a surprise video clip to wish him happy birthday as it would be fun and encouraging coming from his school buddies," Thong said.
On Twitter, #HappyBirthdayDGHisham started to trend this morning and he is still in the Top Five of the Malaysian trend list.
User @JasliAziz wrote, "General Hisham. The hero of Malaysia, leading the frontline in the country's battle against Covid-19."
Secret Recipe also shared their wish with the director-general, posting, "Happy birthday hero @DGHisham! We pray this will be a memorable birthday for you and thank you for your hardwork."
In a message to Bernama yesterday, Dr Noor Hisham said that for his birthday, his wish was for Malaysians to keep complying with the Movement Control Order (MCO) and to practise good hygiene.
From all of us at the New Straits Times, Happy Birthday Dr Noor Hisham. May Allah bless you always.
