JOURNALISM ICON AHMAD REJAL ARBEE DIES
2014 National Journalism Laureate headed media outlets Bernama, ‘The Sun’ and ‘Berita Harian’
DATUK Ahmad Rejal Arbee Mohamed Isa Arbee, who was the 2014 National Journalism Laureate, died yesterday after succumbing to a lung infection. He was 83.
He died at the Shah Alam Hospital at 2.10am, a week after being admitted.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Datin Noraini Shariff, via a post on Facebook.
Rejal is survived by seven children, Ahmad Rizal Arbee, Shazlina Arbee, Shazlifa Arbee, Ahmad Redza Arbee, Ahmad Rejaie Arbee, Ahmad Radhiq Arbee and Awaina Arbee.
He was buried at the Section 21 Muslim Cemetery in Shah Alam.
Among those seen paying their respects were New Straits Times
Press group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, Berita Harian deputy group editor M. Thillinadan, former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin, and fellow National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaafar.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described Rejal as having left a profound impact on journalism in Malaysia.
He said Rejal was among the earliest media practitioners to explore the concept of bilingual media.
“My condolences to the family. May Allah forgive all his sins and grant him a special place in Jannah, Insya-Allah,” he posted on
Facebook.
Rejal began his career as a cadet reporter with Berita Harian in 1963 before joining Bernama as a senior reporter in 1969.
He was then deployed to Jakarta, Indonesia as the agency’s first overseas correspondent in 1973.
Rejal was a pioneer of bilingual media and was also part of the founding team of Bernama.
Throughout his tenure at the news agency, Rejal served as the head of the Political and Parliamentary Desk, and was later appointed as deputy editor and head of the Economic Service before leaving the news agency to join the New Straits Times in 1976.
Rejal rejoined Bernama as the editor-in-chief in 1981 before ending his service in 1989.
He was The Sun editor-in-chief from 1996 until 1997 before joining Berita Harian as group editor from July 1998 until July 2003.
The veteran journalist had also served as the secretary-general of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies and chairman of the Malaysian Press Institute.
Meanwhile, Rejal’s youngest daughter, Awaina Arbee, 32, said her father was admitted to hospital last week for suspected pneumonia.
She said his health began to deteriorate at the end of 2022, when he needed assistance to walk and eat.
“Before that, he was a healthy person because he took care of his diet and always went to the mosque or surau for congregational prayers.”
Awaina, who was a former journalist with the New Straits Times, said her father might be seen as a strict figure at work but at home, he was a loving father who liked to joke with her.
She said her father was “extremely intelligent” and the inspiration
for many of the things in her life.
“People say he was very ‘garang’ and stern. But he was a loving man and he showed us his love in his own way. He was the best man that I’ve ever known.
“His impact wasn’t just limited to his family and the journalism industry, but he left such a meaningful legacy to the country as well,” said Awaina.
“I am very, very proud to have learned from him and for having the privilege of being his daughter,” she added.