Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail Dies

National journalism laureate and freedom fighter Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail (84) died Thursday at the Pantai Medical Centre here at 5.58pm because of lung infection. Abdul Samad, who began his journalism career as a reporter with Utusan Melayu in 1940, is synonymous with the history of the profession in the country.

Born in Singapore, Pak Samad was warded after experiencing difficulty in breathing. His demise just days after the nation celebrated its 51st indenpendence anniversary is all the more touching because Pak Samad was among the national delegation to London in 1956 for the independence talks for Malaysia.

Pak Samad was also heavily involved in anti-colonial activities during British rule and also when the Japanese invaded Malaysia through juxtaposition with Kesatuan Melayu Muda. He was responsible for drafting a Perlembagaan Rakyat together with Pak Sako and Ahmad Boestamam. He spent time in and out of jail for this and was also a vociferous proponent of the national language and literature.

His behind-the-scene contributions were not small either, especially during the time Indonesia gained its independence and in the normalisation of ties between Malaysia and the republic after the Confrontation (when the two countries were at the brink of war in 1963).

He leaves behind wife Puan Sri Habibah Hamid and 10 children including bloggers and ex-journalists Nuraina and Maria. He would be buried after Friday prayers today.

*may Allah blessing him among those belongs to paradise