Zam fondly remembered as a nationalist and patriot

PETALING JAYA: Former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin (pic), who passed away yesterday, was a nationalist and patriot, says fellow journalist and good friend Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar.

Former Utusan editor Johan described Zainuddin, 79, as a trueblue journalist, perhaps the “last mohicans” among his generation.

“He is a journalist at heart to his last breath. He fought for many causes, on religious extremism, chauvinism, attitudes and values that he perceived as backward and detrimental to the Malay race.

“Above all, he was a nationalist and a patriot.

He was uncompromising in his views about integrity and he spoke his mind without fear and favour.

“I consider him a brother and a friend, for we have gone through many good and bad times together,” Johan said.

According to Bernama, Zainuddin passed away at Serdang Hospital around 6.20pm.

His death was confirmed by his brother Abdul Lazam.

Zainuddin was previously undergoing treatment at the Putrajaya Hospital after suffering from pulmonary edema (water in the lungs).

He was rushed to the Emergency Unit of Putrajaya Hospital on Nov 12, and admitted to the normal ward before being transferred to the ICU the next morning after doctors detected fluids in his lungs.

He was later transferred to Serdang Hospital.

Zainuddin, known as Zam, was a former chief editor of Utusan Malaysia and was appointed Information Minister by then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2006 and served until 2008.