‘His professionalism should be a lasting legacy for media practitioners’

KUALA LUMPUR: The media fraternity yesterday paid tribute to the late Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee Mohamed Isa Arbee, is often described as a towering figure in Malaysian journalism.

New Straits Times Press group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, who is also Berita Harian group editor, described his passing as a massive loss to the industry.

Rejal, he said, was a dedicated and caring leader.

“I am truly affected by this loss as Allahyarham was someone I looked up to both in journalism and in terms of leadership during my days as a reporter.

“I was fortunate enough to be able to work with him twice, first in Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency) in 1984, before working in Berita Harian in 1991,” said Zaini, who also extended his condolences to Rejal’s wife and family.

Zaini said Rejal did not distance himself as a leader, and was known for his propensity to work together with editors and reporters at the editorial desk to produce a news piece.

“His leadership style made him a favourite among many, especially his own staff. It also saw him earn the National Journalism Laureate award for his excellent contributions in the field of journalism,” he said.

Former Bernama chairman and editor-in-chief Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said Rejal left immense footprints in Malaysian journalism and media.

“His professionalism should be a lasting legacy for current and future media practitioners, especially for reporters and journalists at large,” he said.

Bernama chairman Datuk Seri

Wong Chun Wai expressed sadness at Rejal’s demise noting that he had the privilege and honour of knowing him personally as well as working with him.

“As someone older than me, I looked up to him,” he said, adding that Rejal’s contribution to journalism, especially to Bernama, will be remembered and recognised.

Meanwhile, 2011 National Journalism Laureate Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Rejal because the latter had been his boss when he was working in Bernama

Berita Harian.

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“His strength was that he could write in two languages at the time and he had the attributes of a leader,” he said when met at Masjid Seksyen 7 in Shah Alam.

Another friend, Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, the founder and media adviser of Karangkraf, said he admired Rejal’s personality and regarded him as a person who was always ready to share his knowledge.

“He was humble and taught a lot. Even after he retired, he gave me ideas and helped me make decisions.”