‘YOUNG JOURNOS MUST LEARN FROM ZAINUDDIN’
He was strict, principled and didn’t dance to political tune, says former ‘Utusan’ official
FORMER Utusan group deputy editor-in-chief Datuk Zaini Hassan said former information minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin was a top journalist who had contributed greatly to the media industry.
“When he held the post of Utusan editor-in-chief, he was a strict man with strong principles.
“He didn’t dance to any political tune. He must be remembered by all.
“Young journalists must learn from him and his contributions must be taught in journalism schools,” he said after visiting Zainuddin’s home at Presint 10 here to pay his last respects yesterday.
Zaini said he knew Zainuddin since 1987, when he was an intern at Utusan.
“I have so many memories of Zainuddin and have been on many programmes with him.
“Last month, he donated 500 books from his collection to Universiti Islam Malaysia as he had intended for a very long time to donate his books.”
Special officer to Kedah menteri besar Datuk Roslan Othman said Zainuddin was very cooperative.
“I knew him when he was serving under Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was then the fourth prime minister.
“He could be contacted easily for information. He was a gem that must be remembered,” he said.
Media and communications adviser to the prime minister Datuk A. Kadir Jasin and the prime minister’s political secretary Abu Bakar Yahya also paid their last respects.
Zainuddin died of a heart attack at Serdang Hospital on Friday. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of Putrajaya Hospital on Nov 13 due to pulmonary edema.
Young journalists must learn from him and his contributions must be taught in journalism schools.
DATUK ZAINI HASSAN
Former Utusan group deputy editor-in-chief