Call for establishment of A. Samad Ismail Institute, Chair of Journalism

SHAH ALAM: Former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam 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 also commemorates 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,” he said 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) here on Monday (Jan 15).

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 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.

Nine other presenters, scholars, and media practitioners who collaborated with A. Samad Ismail, throughout his life, also shared their perspectives, including former Malaysian National News Agency (BK) editor-in-chief and current president of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Datuk Yong Soo Heong, who admitted to having emulated Pak Samad’s informal approach in mentoring young and aspiring journalists.

“Although Pak Samad was a major personality in the world of journalism and a sphere of nationalism of developing countries in Nusantara, he was very accessible, often in a very informal way.

“In a newsroom setting, the availability of informal mentorship and leadership plays a crucial role in fostering development, collaboration and effective communication,” he said when presenting his paper titled Appreciating the Reputation and Work of A. Samad Ismail.

Meanwhile, the Dean of FKPM, Assoc Prof Dr Abd Rasid Abd Rahman, said that organising intellectual discourse like the symposium was part of the faculty’s function to continuously inform the public and provide scholarly and authoritative knowledge to the masses.

“In commemorating the history of local journalism, prominent figures like Abdul Rahim Kajai, Ahmad Boestamam, and A. Samad Ismail should be honoured for their dedicated services to the nation. During turbulent times, these individuals bravely illuminated the nation’s struggle through the power of the pen,” he added. – BK