BEFRIENDING JOURNALISTS

My first encounter with Malaysian journalists took place at Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting Institute Angkasapuri in 1981. I was attending a Development Journalism Course organised by Malaysian Press Institute.

It was a wonderful experience. Gurmit Singh was there to give a lecture on the subject. I still remember Paul's comments on Malaysians' attitude on numbers. Paul came all the way from Switzerland with his wife to lecture us. We went to Sungai Pelong for a site visit for our assignments.

Yunus Said (Berita Harian then TV3), Ahmad Abdul Hamid (Utusan), Fuad Abdul Rahman (Utusan then TV3), Juliana Omar (Bernama now Petronas?), Osman (Bernama), Mahruz Ibrahim (Bernama)), Muhammad (RTM) and other journalists from local Chinese newspapers were attending the course.

During the trip to Sungai Pelong we adjourned to the surau for Zohor prayer. Ahmad Abdul Hamid became the muazin if I am not mistaken.

Among the speakers Mr Iskak Syono gave an in-depth insight of the Farmers Association. I thought he was an Indonesian expat. "I am a Malaysian." He reiterated. It was a very embarassing question I suppose.

I did not attend the second part of the course. I went to Jakarta to represent my ministry in a bilateral talk with the Indonesian Armed Forces. Returning from Jakarta I attended the last session of the course for the certificate giving ceremony.

Consequently I was attached to Berita Harian after the course and I had a short stint under the late Pak Salim Kajai. I met new friends at NST. Sager is one of them.

My Loyal Photograpers

My former photographers when I was at the helm. From left Zulkifli, the late Ku Ruslan and Jamal. I retired in 2004. They visit me every Hari Raya.

Meeting Ex-Photographer of Berita Udara

It is by accident that I stumbled into the collection of photographs by the former photographer of Berita Udara Mr. Gordon Fowler an RAF personnel who was seconded to the Royal Malaysian Air Force from 1966 to 1968. What a small world and this internet can be really your friend and foe he he...

I am the Boss

I am a writer. I was an editor of a news magazine before. Being a military editor doesn't make any difference with any other editor outside the military circle. The basic tenet of journalism which is based on 5W1H still holds. As the boss of the publication I act as a gatekeeper. I determine what should go in and what should not in the publication.

I became the editor by accident. The Air Force News Magazine which first appeared in March 1966 wanted to be revived. The first editor was Warrant Officer R.D. Hicks a seconded staff from the Royal Air Force was at the helm until January 1967. I started from zero.It was 1981. I was attached to the New Straits Times Group and understudying how the newspapers were made from A to Z. The late Pak Salim Kajai was the Chief Editor at that time. I made many new friends at that newspaper company. I met Adibah Amin, A Samad Ismail, the late poet A.S. Amin, late Pak Samad.