TRY as certain parties might, the history of Malaysian rock and metal music is impossible to suppress, and sometimes all it takes for the rich tapestry and fabric to be revealed is the passing of a prolific name in the two music scenes.
On March 6, Tarmizi Mokhtar passed beyond the veil of the living. More fondly known by the stage and nickname Miji, he was a founding member of the thrash metal band Cromok.
During the band’s 30th anniversary concert last October, Cromok revealed that Miji was stepping back from band duties due to health issues. His passing has led to the revelation that Miji was defiantly battling fourth stage liver cancer.
According to Cromok lead guitarist Khairul Anuar “Karl” Shariff, Miji kept his fight a secret.
“(Miji) did not inform me or the others in Cromok about the state of his health. I only found out he was sick when he was admitted into the hospital,” he told a Malay daily.
Miji was buried in Pasir Mas, Johor, and he leaves behind a wife and three children.
