Latest news with #Rozaid
Sinar Daily
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Rozaid Abdul Rahman's trailblazing career in journalism honoured at Hawana 2025
KUALA LUMPUR - The late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, a towering figure in Malaysian journalism, was posthumously awarded the Hawana 2025 Special Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication and influential legacy in the media industry. The award ceremony marked the climax of the National Journalists Day (Hawana) celebration, held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) on June 14. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who personally presented the award to Rozaid's eldest son, Roz Ariffin, 34, described Rozaid as a principled and responsible true champion of press freedom. 'The world of Malaysian journalism continues to remember the outstanding figure of great stature, the late Rozaid Rahman. To me, he was more than a journalist. 'He was a true friend, a sharp thinker and a principled and responsible fighter for media freedom,' Anwar said in a heartfelt Facebook post. The late Rozaid's accomplishments and honours throughout his journalism career. Photo: Bernama The award presentation was witnessed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, along with more than 1,000 guests, including local and international media professionals. Also in attendance were Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also served as the Hawana 2025 Project Director. Rozaid, who passed away on Aug 18, 2024, due to a heart attack, had an illustrious career spanning over 40 years. Born in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on Oct 1, 1964, Rozaid began his journey in journalism as a cadet reporter with Utusan Melayu on April 21, 1984. He later became the youngest person to be appointed Group News Editor at the age of 27. He etched his name into history as the first Malaysian journalist to set foot in the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) tunnels at the Thai border in December 1989. His exclusive report gained international attention and was picked up by media outlets worldwide. He also became the first to successfully interview CPM Secretary-General Chin Peng and 10th Regiment Commander Rashid Maidin just before the signing of the Peace Agreement between the Malaysian Government and the CPM in Hat Yai, Thailand. Rozaid's journalistic courage extended beyond borders. He spent over a month in Bangkok covering the 1991 military coup that toppled the Thai government. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the British High Commission journalism scholarship in 1992, attending a journalism fellowship programme at Wolfson College, United Kingdom (UK). He was later named the Penang Journalist Icon in 1994 and went on to become the first Malaysian to win the Asian Digital Media Award in Hong Kong on Nov 18, 2015, hosted by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers. Rozaid not only witnessed but also shaped the transformation of Malaysian journalism. A pioneer in digital journalism, he played a crucial role in the development of mStar Online under The Star Media Group and later spearheaded the launch of Sinar Daily, the English-language portal of Sinar Harian. In 2023, he returned to The Star as Group Editorial Consultant before being appointed Director of Media and Strategic Communications at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on May 23, 2023, where he managed the government's communication and media strategies. Hawana 2025, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Balancing AI and Ethics,' was celebrated over three days, with May 29 officially recognised as National Journalists Day. The date commemorates the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939, and serves to honour the contributions of media professionals in fostering an informed society. 'I hope the spirit and values of Rozaid's struggle will continue to serve as a beacon for young media practitioners in upholding truth, honouring ethics and strengthening democracy,' Anwar said in tribute. Rozaid's passing was widely mourned, but his legacy continues to resonate. As a journalist, editor and media leader, his career embodied integrity, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the truth.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Rozaid posthumously honoured at Hawana 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The late Rozaid Abdul Rahman was posthumously honoured at the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025. Rozaid, who served as the media and strategic communications director for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was the recipient of the Hawana 2025 Special Award. His eldest son, Roz Ariffin, 34, accepted the award from Anwar at the Hawana 2025 gathering in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Rozaid, who previously held the position of group consulting editor at The Star, passed away from a heart attack on Aug 18 last year. During his illustrious career, Rozaid also served as the group editor of Sinar Harian. Born on Oct 1, 1964, in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Rozaid began his career as a cadet journalist at Utusan Melayu in 1984 and became the youngest news editor of the Utusan Group at 27. Malaysian Press Institute president Datuk Yong Soo Heong received the Hawana 2025 Award. He previously served as Bernama's editor-in-chief. With over five decades of experience in the media industry, Yong began his journalism career at The Star and The Straits Echo.
Barnama
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
HAWANA Special Award Recognition Of Rozaid's Legacy
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) – The HAWANA 2025 Special Award accorded to the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman is a heartfelt tribute to his service, dedication, and legacy in the field of local journalism, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister described the former Director of Media and Strategic Communications at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) as principled, responsible and a true champion of press freedom. 'The nation's journalism fraternity continues to remember the exemplary figure of the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman. 'To me, he was more than a journalist, he was a true friend, a sharp thinker and a genuine fighter for media freedom grounded in principles and accountability,' Anwar said in a Facebook post. He expressed hope that the late Rozaid's spirit and values would continue to inspire young media practitioners to uphold truth, honour ethics and strengthen democracy. At the HAWANA 2025 highlight celebration held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) here today, Anwar presented the HAWANA 2025 Special Award to Rozaid's son, Roz Ariffin, witnessed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and over 1,000 local and international media practitioners. Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the Project Director of HAWANA 2025. Rozaid, who died on Aug 18, 2024 from a heart attack, is remembered as a highly influential figure in Malaysian journalism, with over four decades of experience in the media industry. He was appointed Director of Media and Strategic Communications at the PMO on May 23, 2023, where he played a key role in overseeing government communications and media strategies.
Barnama
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Rozaid Receives Posthumous Special HAWANA Award 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, former Director of Media and Strategic Communications at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), was posthumously honoured with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 Special Award during the culmination of today's celebration. The award was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Rozaid's eldest son, Roz Ariffin, 34, in a special ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), which was attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and 1,000 guests, comprising local and international media practitioners. Also present were Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is the Director of the HAWANA 2025 Project. Rozaid, who died on August 18 last year of a heart attack, is remembered as an influential figure in the country's journalism world with over four decades of experience in the media industry. Born on October 1, 1964, in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Rozaid began his career as a cadet journalist at the Utusan Melayu newspaper on April 21, 1984, before becoming chief reporter and subsequently making history as the youngest individual to be appointed news editor of the Utusan Group at the age of 27 He also made history as the first Malaysian journalist to set foot in the tunnel of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) on the Thai border in December 1989, and his exclusive report was later quoted by various media around the world. He was also the first Malaysian journalist to interview CPM Secretary-General Chin Peng and its Commander of the 10th Regiment, Rashid Maidin, shortly before the signing of the Peace Agreement between the Malaysian Government and the CPM in Haadyai, Thailand. As a journalist with extensive experience of the unrest and issues in Thailand, Rozaid spent more than a month in Bangkok covering the coup that saw the fall of the Thai government at the hands of the military in February 1991. In 1992, Rozaid won a prestigious scholarship from the British High Commission in Malaysia to attend a journalism fellowship programme at Wolfson College, United Kingdom, before being named the recipient of the Penang Eminent Journalist award by the state government in 1994.
Barnama
14-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
Son Reflects On Rozaid's Unwavering Dedication To Journalism
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) --The son of Rozaid Abdul Rahman, a respected journalist posthumously honoured with the Special Award at the 2025 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA), said his late father would never compromise on his principles or the quality of his work, always ensuring that he completed every assignment before going home. Roz Ariffin, 34, Rozaid's eldest son, told Bernama this after accepting the award from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, describing the recognition as a great honour for the family. "My family and I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the HAWANA organisers for this meaningful recognition. Honestly, I feel an overwhelming sadness as it should have been my late father standing here to receive this award himself," he said at the 2025 HAWANA celebration main event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. Rozaid, who passed away on Aug 18, 2024, from a heart attack at the age of 59, is regarded as a towering figure in Malaysian journalism, with a career spanning over four decades. Born in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on Oct 1, 1964, Rozaid began his career as a cadet reporter with Utusan Melayu on April 21, 1984. He later rose to the position of chief reporter and, at the age of 27, made history as the youngest individual to be appointed as news editor of Kumpulan Utusan. Roz Ariffin, a part-time editor at a local media company, said his father consistently set an example for the family that hard work would always bring lasting rewards. That unwavering dedication, he said, was evident throughout his life. "Even while unwell, he continued to ask about daily assignments and work developments at the office. He kept up with current affairs and never neglected his responsibilities. "..In the two months leading up to his passing, he tired easily and lacked energy, yet even in that condition, he never once abandoned his duties. That has been a source of inspiration for all of us," he said.
