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.
