Strong muhibbah spirit

Owen Yap News anchor and TV host Bachelor of Business Administration, 1999

FOR award-winning news anchor and TV host Owen Yap, UKM was his only choice of public university.

“My first to fifth choices for university were all UKM,” said Yap, 46, who studied business administration.

He fondly recalled being asked to sing impromptu onstage during the Orientation Week of Com D, when he performed a Malay and Hindi song.

“I really enjoyed my varsity days. It was from there that I learnt the true spirit and value of

muhibbah as I had friends from all over Malaysia (East and West), regardless of race or religion,” reminisced Yap who wanted to study nearer his home in Seremban.

“It was also then that I started to observe puasa with my Muslim friends andwehad sahur and

iftar together. We would go to the Ramadan bazaar every day in Bandar Baru Bangi. As I had a car at that time, I became their appointed driver,” shared Yap, who continued to fast during Ramadan for a few years after graduating from UKM.

The personable TV star went on to become a household name in Malaysia after joining local TV station 8TV as a prime time Mandarin news anchor, and television host for English and Mandarin variety shows.

His versatility and diligence paid off when he won both Best

Current Affairs Host (8TV Mandarin News) and Best variety and entertainment programme host (Deal Or No Deal 2), during Malaysia’s inaugural Golden Awards (2010) which recognises excellence in the production and performance of Malaysia’s Chinese language television.

Yap’s message to his alma mater: “I wish UKM every success and look forward to it thriving in the next 50 years.” –