Death of Abdul Rahman 'Roger' a huge loss to journalism in the country

KUALA LUMPUR - The death of former Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) executive editor Abdul Rahman Yeop Mat Norodin, better known as ‘Roger’, has been deemed a great loss to journalism in the country.

Bernama chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin said Abdul Rahman was a strict editor and leader and described as a no-nonsense person.

"I really feel his loss because he was also one of my teachers in my career as a journalist.

"He educated me a lot, especially in matters of discipline and work focus, because he was very serious in carrying out the trust and responsibility given to him. We in the newsroom and Bernama will definitely miss him," he said while extending his condolences to Abdul Rahman's wife and family members.

Abdul Rahman, 73, died at his residence in Dungun, Terengganu at 9.15 am today after battling the effects of a stroke, since 2010.

Roslan also informed that Bernama had plans to send the secretariat of the Bantuan Kasih@HAWANA fund to visit Abdul Rahman next month, but it was not meant to be.

Bernama Editor-in-chief Jamaluddin Muhammad said he learned a lot from the late Abdul Rahman, whom he described as highly capable, efficient with high integrity.

Bernama News Service Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the deceased was a senior who guided her a lot when she joined Bernama in 1985.

"It can be said that he was my teacher at Bernama. His guidance and advice helped a lot in shaping my career as a journalist," she said.

Meanwhile, Special Projects Editor M. Govind Nair said the late Roger was a no-nonsense individual who believed in giving his best to the job and a dear friend who would go out of his way to help colleagues and friends.

"Roger believed in using a fountain pen and always carried a bottle of ink with him. Many a time he was seen with ink stains on his fingers. I will miss him, not just as a great colleague but more so as a dear friend,” he said.

Reminiscing his fond memories with Roger, Govind said he could still remember Roger’s thunderous voice repeating 'tanda, tanda' for us to mark or check the opposing players whenever they had the ball, as he was the Bernama football coach for a spell and Govind, happened to be one of the players.

Deputy chief sub-editor Yeap Boo Yam described the late Abdul Rahman as a kind and gentlemanly boss who was very committed to his work and generous in sharing his knowledge.

Former Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said the services and devotion of Roger would forever be etched in the history of the news organisation.

"The same goes for his great contribution to national journalism that should be emulated by the younger generation of journalists.

"As a contemporary colleague of Allahyarham at Bernama, we both went through the ups and downs of our careers and the challenges of our profession for almost 40 years. I highly praise his integrity and professionalism," he said. - BERNAMA