Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that he has died. Balala addressed the rumours on Saturday evening in a Facebook post, assuring friends, colleagues and members of the public that he is alive and in good health.In the post, he noted that he was aware of the misleading reports and described them as unfounded. “I am well and in good spirits. I am aware of the misleading information that has been circulating, but I want to assure everyone that it is unfounded. I thank the Almighty for His mercy and protection,” he wrote.His update came after social media posts falsely claimed that he had died following an alleged battle with prostate cancer. Balala expressed gratitude for the messages of concern and goodwill he received after the reports circulated, but did not address claims about any specific illness.He also separately shared a selfie on Instagram alongside a message saying he was well and grateful for his health. “Alhamdulilah I’m ok and thank the Almighty for giving me good health,” Balala wrote in the additional social media post.Balala had also previously faced health-related reports, including claims in 2020 that he had been taken to hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsing at his office.The former CS has in recent years maintained a lower public profile after leaving government, having served in senior tourism positions during two separate periods. He was Tourism Minister from 2008 to 2012 before returning to the docket as Cabinet Secretary from 2015 until 2022. Most recently, in May, he was appointed Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the private sector in the global travel and tourism industry.
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