Day: May 23, 2026

No Retirement From Service: Former Teachers Turn Stringers

KUANTAN, May 23 -- Retirement has not stopped two former teachers in Pahang from continuing to serve the community, with both turning to part-time journalism to pursue their passion for the media industry. Speaking to Bernama, Salehudin Mat Rasad, said his interest in writing began during his school days when his news articles, poems and short stories were published in Utusan Pelajar, a student publication by Utusan Melayu at the time. Salehudin, 68, said he began working as a stringer for Utusan Malaysia Pahang on Dec 1, 1985 while still serving as a teacher, handling reporting and writing assignments during evenings, nights and weekends. “After retirement, journalism became my main focus because it allows me to remain active, contribute to society and spend my time productively. “The job also helps me stay mentally and physically active as it requires me to travel to various locations across Pahang,” said Salehudin, who served for 38 years as a teacher specialising in Bahasa Malaysia and also taught Geography and History. The Kampung Serambi, Pekan native said his teaching background had greatly helped in journalism as it exposed him to people from different walks of life, including students, parents and local communities. “As a teacher, I was used to listening, observing and understanding people’s emotions. Those skills are very useful in producing balanced reports that are close to the realities of society,” he said. Salehudin added that advances in technology had transformed journalism compared with the 1980s, when reports had to be dictated over the telephone or sent via fax. “At that time, public telephones were limited and only available in major towns. Today, technology allows news to be delivered almost instantly,” he said. Another retired teacher, Amir Hamzah Nordin, 66, said his interest in media began during secondary school before growing further throughout his teaching career. He said he used to publish a monthly school bulletin using A4 paper featuring school activities and students’ work, besides serving on the school magazine committee and as chief editor of “Suara Guru”, published by the Kesatuan Guru Melayu Malaysia Barat (KGMMB). Amir Hamzah said he began working as a stringer for Harian Watan in 1995 before joining Berita Harian from 1997 until October 2018, and later returned to active reporting with New Straits Times Press (NSTP) in April 2023. “Although I was active as a stringer while teaching, I never neglected my responsibilities as a teacher and received the Excellent Service Award three times,” he said. Among his most memorable assignments was covering a light aircraft crash in Sungai Tembeling in 1990, when he had to rely on another newspaper photographer to capture images at the scene. “The photographer threw the camera film from the crash site in the river to me on the riverbank. I then sought help from another reporter who was returning to Kuantan to send the film for processing,” he recalled. Amir Hamzah said working as a stringer after retirement has been fulfilling as it allows him to remain active while helping people through news reports. “There was one case involving a Malaysian who fell into a coma while travelling in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and needed financial aid. The news report indirectly helped raise public funds for him,” he said. -- BERNAMA

KUANTAN, May 23 — Retirement has not stopped two former teachers in Pahang from continuing to serve the community, with both turning to part-time journalism to pursue their passion for the media industry. Speaking to Bernama, Salehudin Mat Rasad, said his interest in writing began during his school days when his news articles, poems and […]

PM Anwar Ibrahim: Investments Must Benefit Malaysians, Not Just Boost Economic Numbers

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must ensure incoming investments contribute directly to strengthening local industries, improving workforce skills and raising the people’s standard of living, rather than merely increasing economic figures on paper. Speaking at the Forum of Malaysian Scientists MADANI Series 12 held at the Securities Commission Malaysia last night, Anwar said the discussion focused on how Malaysia can position itself more effectively amid the changing landscape of global capital flows. He noted that recent indicators showed encouraging developments, with economic growth, investments and capital markets continuing to record positive momentum, in some areas exceeding initial forecasts. However, the Prime Minister stressed that economic success should not be measured solely through macroeconomic data. According to Anwar, investments entering the country must help build the capacity of local companies, strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improve citizens’ skills and create meaningful employment opportunities. He added that the MADANI Government remains committed to ensuring that growth is inclusive and benefits all segments of society, including small traders, workers, youths and communities in rural and interior areas. Anwar said Malaysia is currently at an important crossroads as global capital flows continue to evolve and economic resilience increasingly becomes a key factor in national competitiveness. He emphasised that reforms, good governance, fiscal discipline and efforts to strengthen national capacity must continue to be reinforced to secure sustainable growth. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s progress is not only reflected in economic statistics but genuinely felt by Malaysians across the nation -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must ensure incoming investments contribute directly to strengthening local industries, improving workforce skills and raising the people’s standard ofC, rather than merely increasing economic figures on paper. Speaking at the Forum of Malaysian Scientists MADANI Series 12 held at the Securities Commission Malaysia last […]

YB Gobind Singh Deo Highlights AI’s Role In Empowering SMEs And Women Entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo held a meeting with the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) to discuss efforts to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and digital transformation between Malaysia and China. Gobind said MCCC continues to play an important role in fostering interaction, collaboration and commercial development between the two countries while safeguarding the interests of its members. During the discussion, both parties exchanged views on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness. The meeting also focused on practical AI support for women-led businesses, as well as government initiatives and policy directions related to AI adoption and digital transformation. Gobind stressed the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration to ensure businesses are better prepared to embrace emerging technologies and future economic opportunities. He added that discussions also explored potential future collaborations aimed at supporting more inclusive growth, particularly for women entrepreneurs participating in Malaysia’s digital economy. Gobind expressed optimism that stronger partnerships between stakeholders would help empower more businesses, especially women-led enterprises, to grow and thrive in an AI-driven future. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB: GOBIND SINGH DEO

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo held a meeting with the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) to discuss efforts to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and digital transformation between Malaysia and China. Gobind said MCCC continues to play an important role in fostering interaction, collaboration and commercial development between the two […]

PM Anwar Ibrahim Welcomes BlackBerry Delegation To Strengthen Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem

PUTRAJAYA, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today received a courtesy visit from a delegation of BlackBerry Limited led by its President, John Giamatteo, alongside representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and National University of Malaysia to discuss efforts to strengthen local expertise in cybersecurity and future technologies. Anwar said the establishment of the Malaysia CyberSecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya since 2024 has delivered significant benefits through various cybersecurity courses and certification programmes involving nearly 10,000 civil servants and ICT professionals. He noted that the initiative is crucial in preparing the country to face increasingly complex cyber threats and post-quantum security challenges. The Prime Minister was also briefed on several strategic collaborations, including the Smart Campus programme and the development of BlackBerry QNX technology for the electric vehicle, semiconductor and industrial automation sectors. In addition, Anwar highlighted the innovation of the PeritoCare Mobile Dialysis Device, which was developed through the expertise of local talents. He expressed hope that cooperation between the government, industry and academia would continue to be strengthened in advancing Malaysian innovation and technology to the global stage. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB: ANWAR IBRAHIM

PUTRAJAYA, May 23 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday received a courtesy visit from a delegation of BlackBerry Limited led by its President, John Giamatteo, alongside representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and National University of Malaysia to discuss efforts to strengthen local expertise in cybersecurity and future technologies. Anwar said the establishment […]