KUALA LUMPUR – The death of veteran journalist Rozaid Abdul Rahman, 59, is considered a significant loss to the local media industry.
The late Rozaid, who served as media and strategic communications director at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), died this evening at his home in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, due to heart problems.
Several cabinet members and industry colleagues have been deeply affected by the loss of the former chief editor of the Sinar Harian Group and extended their condolences to his family.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Rozaid was a highly dedicated and committed individual in his role, and his personality was greatly appreciated by those around him.
“It is with great sadness that we received the news of Rozaid Rahman’s death earlier today (yesterday). He was a friendly and helpful colleague, and he was deeply respected.
“His passing is a tremendous loss for the media industry, and it is truly felt and mourned. May Allah SWT forgive his sins and grant him paradise. Rest in peace in the eternal abode, Al-Fatihah,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday,
Fahmi, who is also the government spokesperson, also expressed his condolences to Rozaid’s family and friends.
Meanwhile, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, a good friend of Rozaid, was shocked by Rozaid’s death since he had contacted the deceased last week.
Reflecting on memories with Rozaid, Wong said they have known each other since 1990 while working together and became very close friends.
“It is with great sadness that I have learnt of his demise. We had just texted each other last week. I have known him since early 1990 and we covered many overseas assignments together.
“Both of us are Penangites and we share many common interests. He was a very good friend and the last time we had dinner together was to celebrate my birthday and that of my wife’s in June,” he told Bernama.
Wong said the late Rozaid has delivered many scoops including revealing a secret tunnel built by the Communist Party of Malaya along the Malaysia-Thailand border in 1989.
He said Rozaid was competent in both English and Bahasa Melayu, which led him to serve in several major newspapers such as Utusan Malaysia, Sinar Harian and The Star.
“As the strategic communications director at PMO, he was helpful to the media, and certainly it will be a loss to the prime minister,” he added.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the late Rozaid was an individual with vast experience in journalism and was later appointed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the role of media and strategic communications director, which is a challenging position.
“Rest in peace, my friend. May Allah SWT bless all your good deeds and contributions to the country.
“Let us pray that his soul will be placed among the righteous. Condolences to the family, may they stay strong. Al-Fatihah,” he said in his Facebook post.
Education Minister Fadlina Sidek, Federal Territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Minister in the law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said also offered their condolences through their respective social media platforms.
Rozaid, 59, the former chief editor of Sinar Harian Group received treatment at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital, Serdang (formerly Serdang Hospital) at the beginning of July and believed to be recuperating at home.
The late Rozaid had extensive experience in the field of journalism for over 40 years, after starting his career as a cadet reporter in Utusan Malaysia in April 1984.
The veteran journalist then served as the group executive editor with the Star and served as the press secretary to Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin when he was the higher education minister.
He later joined Sinar Harian on January 4, 2021, before deciding to end his service with Sinar Harian on December 30, 2022.
Rozaid was appointed director of media and strategic communications at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 23, 2023.
Bernama was informed that the funeral prayers for the late Rozaid was held at 8.30am today at the Putra Heights Mosque, Subang Jaya.
The deceased will be laid to rest in Sg Dua, Penang. – August 19, 2024