SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 – Former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam has proposed the establishment of an independent institution or an A. Samad Ismail Chair of Journalism as an effort to elevate the journalism profession in the country.
Musa said apart from enhancing the quality of journalism, it is also to commemorate the deeds and contributions of the late Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail, a respected figure in journalism and a political activist.
“There is a proposal to establish an institute in honour of A. Samad Ismail. It could be set up in a leading university in the country or maybe we could establish an independent institute.
“(The proposal for the establishment) of this institute can be used as a tribute and, more importantly, as a way to improve the journalism profession in our country, (where it) will be able to enhance its capabilities,” he said this in his opening speech at the “Symposium Commemorating Tan Sri A. Samad Ismail: Journalist, Public Intellectual, Statesman” at the Tun Abdul Razak Library, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) on Monday.
He added that, in the current situation, the country urgently needs responsible and trustworthy journalists who do not prioritise monetary gains.
National Journalism Laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar concurred with the proposal, saying that there is a need to establish a school, institution, or chair of journalism in memory of A. Samad Ismail.
“Whatever is decided at the end of this symposium, Insya-Allah it will maintain his legacy as a journalist, intellectual, and a statesman,” he said in his keynote address titled Mencari A. Samad Ismail.
Sharing the sentiment was the Professor of Intellectual and Social History from the International Institute of Islamic Civilisation and Malay World (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican, who also proposed naming the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM) at UiTM as the A. Samad Ismail Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.
In his keynote address titled Merentasi Sejarah Tiga Negara: A Samad Ismail Sebagai Wartawan, Cendikiawan Awam dan Negarawan’, Ahmad Murad also proposed naming a street in Kuala Lumpur or major cities in Malaysia after A. Samad Ismail, as well as establishing a memorial, gallery, or library dedicated to A. Samad Ismail in a suitable location.
The one-day symposium, which attracted 150 guests, was organised in collaboration with FKPM-UiTM and ISTAC-IIUM, and aimed to discuss the thoughts and contributions of this national journalism figure in the socio-political context of Malaysia.
It also featured well-known national cartoonist Datuk Mohamad Nor Khalid, or Datuk Lat, who shared various perspectives on A. Samad Ismail, affectionately known as Pak Samad.
