By Samadi Ahmad - October 14, 2019 @9:07pm
PUTRAJAYA: Former Berita Harian (BH) journalist, Tajuddin Saman, 71, who is bedridden following a stroke eight years ago, received a visit from 79 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students at his home in Presint 9, here, today.
The visit, dubbed “Misi Kemanusian Menjejak Pengarang” was organised by the students of the Creative Writing Course of the Malay Language and Culture Department of UPSI’s Language and Communications Faculty.
Programme adviser Dr Ghazali Din said the programme was aimed at enabling students to know editors better, instead of merely reading their biographies.
He said the visit also allowed students to delve in and understand the life of an editor, including those who faced hardship and health issues.
The activity, he said, could educate students in better appreciating editors and writers, on top of fostering a sense of humanity among them.
“This is in line with the university’s aim of developing students who excel in academics and possess good moral values,” he said.
Also present was Harian Metro group editor Tuan Asri Tuan Hussein.
Tajuddin, who in 1990 won Malaysian journalism’s most prestigious honour, the Kajai award, also penned his memoirs “Dari Kodiang ke Jalan Riong”.
He had served as the press secretary of former Kedah menteri besar Tan Sri Osman Arof; ex-minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin; as well as former natural resources and environment minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid.
During the programme, Dr Ghazali presented a cash contribution of RM700, raised by the students, to Tajuddin’s wife, Rahmah Ibrahim, 62.
Dr Ghazali, who is a creative writing lecturer, said the programme was the fifth one organised. They had previously conducted visits to the homes of National Laureates Baha Zain, Mohd Salleh, Mana Sikana and Baharuddin Kahar.
Meanwhile, Tuan Asri commended UPSI’s initiative in recognising the contributions of former journalists and writers.
Tuan Asri, who said he received a lot of advice from Tajuddin since joining Harian Metro in 1993, said Tajuddin was not only a friend but also helped him hone his skills in feature writing.
Original Source
- Samadi Ahmad, Ex-BH Journalist Tajuddin Saman receives visit from UPSI students, the News Straits Times Malaysia, 14 October 2019
