Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil visits and presents aid to ailing veteran journalist Adibah Amin, urging new reporters to follow her legacy
SHAH ALAM: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today visited and presented aid to ailing veteran journalist Adibah Amin at her residence.
The aid was delivered through the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund as a token of appreciation to the 90-year-old, who is the 671st recipient of the fund to date.
A separate contribution from the Prime Minister’s Department’s Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU JPM) was also presented on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Today we came to see for ourselves her condition as she is unwell, now 90 years old and living with her sister. Nevertheless, we pray that she remains healthy,” Fahmi told reporters.
Adibah is currently in poor health due to her age and requires full-time care.
She also suffers from diabetes and has been bedridden and unable to walk since suffering a stroke in 2008.
Adibah, synonymous with the character Cikgu Bedah in the comedy film ‘Adik Manja’, is a familiar figure in the nation’s journalism and literary circles.
Fahmi noted that Adibah had served as an editor at The Star and New Straits Times.
She also made history as the first woman to hold the News Editor position at Berita Harian.
In June 2024, she was crowned Tokoh Wartawan Negara 2023 at the Malam Wartawan Malaysia event.
“My hope for the new generation of journalists is that they can follow and understand not only the struggles of journalists before them, but understand the reality that they are not just reporting, but also shaping an independent and sovereign nation and improving the quality of journalism and ethical standards,” Fahmi said.
Meanwhile, Adibah’s sister, Khalilah Fadzilah Amin, 87, expressed her gratitude for the concern shown.
“I would like to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has helped my sister. I appreciate their willingness to visit her and care about her condition,” she said.
She added that a book about Adibah’s life journey, especially her career, will be launched on 12 April at an event commemorating the journalist.
The Sun Malaysia
