KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described the deeds and contributions put forth by National Journalism Laureate 2014 Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee Mohamed Isa Arbee as having left a profound impact on journalism in Malaysia.
He said Ahmad Rejal, who was the editor-in-chief of Bernama and former group editor of Berita Harian 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.
Ahmad Rejal breathed his last at 2am at the Shah Alam Hospital today. He was 83.
The veteran journalist was admitted to the hospital last Friday due to a lung infection.
He was laid to rest at the Section 21 Muslim cemetery in Shah Alam. Almost 200 members of his family and the media fraternity paid their last respects.
Ahmad Rejal was named the National Journalism Laureate during the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Journalism Award 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the nation in the field of journalism.
Earlier, Ahmad Rejal’s remains were brought to the Section 7 Mosque for the funeral prayer, which was performed by about 200 congregants.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Rejal’s son Rejaie Arbee said his father died at 2.10am at Shah Alam Hospital due to old age.
National Journalism Laureate for 2014 Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, Media Prima Berhad Television Networks group editor of news and current affairs Kamaruddin Mape, and former editor-in-chief of Bernama Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab were among those who paid their last respects.
In the meantime, Bernama management, led by its chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus, deputy editor-in-chief (Economic News Services) Azlina Aziz and head of TV, Bernama TV and Radio Broadcasting Division Nor Hamzeela Md Hambali, paid a visit to Ahmad Rejal’s family at his residence.
Nur-ul Afida said Bernama staff, especially from the Editorial Department, extended their condolences to Ahmad Rejal’s wife Datin Noraini Shariff and her family following the loss of her beloved husband.
Knowing Ahmad Rejal since her arrival at Bernama in 1985, she described him as an editor-in-chief of few words but was strict at work.
“Under his leadership up until 1989, Bernama had achieved a lot of significant progress, and I am deeply saddened by his passing,” said Nur-ul Afida, who also prayed for Ahmad Rejal’s soul to be blessed.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai expressed sadness at Ahmad 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 Ahmad Rejal’s contribution to journalism, especially to Bernama, will be remembered and recognised.
Former Bernama chairman and editor-in-chief Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said Ahmad Rejal had left behind 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.
Ahmad Rejal was the former editor-in-chief of Bernama and former group editor of Berita Harian.
He joined Bernama as a senior editor in 1969 before being deployed to Jakarta, Indonesia as the agency’s first overseas correspondent in 1973.
Ahmad Rejal was The Sun editor-in-chief from 1996 until 1997 before joining Berita Harian as group editor from July 1998 until July 2003.
He was among the earliest media practitioners to explore the concept of bilingual media and was part of the founding team of Bernama. – March 29, 2024