SON REFLECTS ON ROZAID'S UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO JOURNALISM

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) --The son of Rozaid Abdul Rahman, a respected journalist posthumously honoured with the Special Award at the 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA), said his late father would never compromise on his principles or the quality of his work, always ensuring that he completed every assignment before going home.

Roz Ariffin, 34, Rozaid's eldest son, told Bernama this after accepting the award from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, describing the recognition as a great honour for the family.

"My family and I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the HAWANA organisers for this meaningful recognition. Honestly, I feel an overwhelming sadness as it should have been my late father standing here to receive this award himself," he said at the 2025 HAWANA celebration main event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today.

Rozaid, who passed away on Aug 18, 2024, from a heart attack at the age of 59, is regarded as a towering figure in Malaysian journalism, with a career spanning over four decades.

Born in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on Oct 1, 1964, Rozaid began his career as a cadet reporter with Utusan Melayu on April 21, 1984. He later rose to the position of chief reporter and, at the age of 27, made history as the youngest individual to be appointed as news editor of Kumpulan Utusan.

Roz Ariffin, a part-time editor at a local media company, said his father consistently set an example for the family that hard work would always bring lasting rewards. That unwavering dedication, he said, was evident throughout his life.

"Even while unwell, he continued to ask about daily assignments and work developments at the office. He kept up with current affairs and never neglected his responsibilities.

"..In the two months leading up to his passing, he tired easily and lacked energy, yet even in that condition, he never once abandoned his duties. That has been a source of inspiration for all of us," he said.

On his father's legacy, Roz Ariffin said his vast experience, including interviews with leaders of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), CPM secretary Chin Peng, and exclusive coverage in Bangkok during Thailand's political crisis in the 1990s, is difficult to surpass.

He said that one of the most important values instilled by his father was a strong sense of responsibility and commitment, as well as the importance of finishing what you have started.

Rozaid was also a pioneer in the evolution of digital news in Malaysia, where he played a key role in developing the mStar Online portal under The Star Media Group and launching Sinar Daily, the English-language edition of Sinar Harian.

Rozaid returned to The Star in 2023 as group consulting editor before being appointed as Media and Strategic Communications director at the Prime Minister's Office on May 23, 2023. This role placed him at the forefront of government communications and media strategy.

His passing is regarded as a massive loss to the Malaysian journalism fraternity; however, his legacy remains an enduring inspiration for future generations.

Meanwhile, another distinguished journalist and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president, Datuk Yong Soo Heong, received the HAWANA 2025 Award.

Also present at the event were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as HAWANA 2025 project director.

Local and international media practitioners celebrated HAWANA 2025, themed "Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics".

May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day to commemorate the publication of the first edition of the "Utusan Melayu" newspaper on May 29, 1939, honouring the contributions and services of media professionals as vital agents in shaping an informed society.

-- BERNAMA