No BM lessons for AU at primary school

A reader told ApaKhabar, she could relate to the Azman Ujang story.

Her dad belonged to a Melaka – Negri Sembilan clan.

The reader’s mother, Ainun Lee, was a “Dayang” whose father didn’t go with the hereditary “Awang”.

Ujang Malek, Azman’s father, was a Minangkabau from Rembau who married a Sarawak Malay and lived in Sarawak. That was a migration.

When Ainun Lee moved to Semenanjung from Kuching, Sarawak was a part of the enlarged Malaysia. On a personal level, she integrated into her husband’s big family.

Ainun Lee’s father-in-law had three wives. The first wife lived in Linggi, Negri Sembilan.

The second is in Ramuan Cina Kecil, Melaka. The third wife was a Baba – Nyonya from Peringgit, Melaka.

Azman Ujang would have dearly loved to meet this now deceased couple.

He has interviewed a great many.

AU

This is precisely the stage of this narrative when Azman Ujang should be referred to as AU.

This reporter is convinced that, despite being a Dato Seri, Azman Ujang wants to be known as AU.

Also, in an attempt not to be unkind to all these places, the People and the Past, this meandering story should be narrated in three parts.

It was drizzling here, this Sunday morning on the banks of a waterway, Sungai Alor Lempah, when this passage was written.

In sharp contrast to the stuttering pace of this story, AU is nimble.

I asked him last week, would it be fair to say you “almost always” drive in KL, rather than opt for MRT/LRT/Grab, that is?

“I always drive, not almost always.” This was crisp.

The “A” in always was a capital letter, A.

Such personalities as A. Kadir Jasin, Johan Jaaffar and AU studiously avoid typos in their WhatsApp messages.

Back to 1970

We must hurry back to 1970. This was the year the Air Force man who was serving in Kuching married Ainun Lee.

AU was writing Letters to the Editor, to the Sarawak Tribune (founded in 1945). He focused on the current affairs of Sarawak, at age 19.

AU wrote as Ujang Jr., a loving tribute to his father. Ujang Malek was known to be a close friend of the famous Temenggong Jugah, when the Minang man was based in Kapit.

AU had just finished school in 1970.

The destiny with journalism wasn’t accidental. He was a voracious reader of newspapers and magazines. He wasn’t really into books. AU acknowledged this.

“In early Primary School, Primary 3 and 4, in Bintulu, I used to go to the Bintulu Recreation Club to read The Straits Times”

AU’s secondary school education commenced in 1965. He was into school-hopping, as dad was an Agricultural officer who served in a number of places.

AU did not learn Bahasa Malaysia in primary school. Sarawak wasn’t yet a part of Malaysia.

English Proficiency

There was this occasion when Ong Kee Hui (picture), then president of the Kuching Municipal Council, visited AU’s school, Batu Lintang Primary School. Our man was a recent arrival at the school.

Still, he was nominated to deliver a Thank You address at the event. An expatriate educator who was at the function, spoke to the Kapit – born boy afterwards.

“He told me that one day I shall be the Speaker of the Council Negeri, which was later renamed Dewan Undangan Negeri”.

AU would not be the one asking the questions as the Speaker.

He is an opinionated personality. He tends to speak up and also makes recommendations.

As Bernama chairperson, he advocated for Jalan 1/65A off Jalan Tun Razak to be renamed.

It is now Jalan Bernama, just as the AU had proposed.

He is not about to pause.

Journalism Career

Chan Siew Ngo was AU’s English teacher at the Green Road Secondary School. “She told me to pursue a career in journalism.”

At age 20, AU saw an advertisement that Bernama was recruiting journalists.

At the interview, in June 1971, Mazlan Nordin, the then Bernama editor-in-chief, asked AU what was featured on the cover of the latest Newsweek.

“My response: White House Wedding of Tricia Nixon.”

Mazlan Nordin was impressed. The 20-year-old AU reported for work at the Kuching Bernama office several weeks later, on Aug 1.

AU would naturally have his critics. Or rather, individuals with differing views. They must not be prevented from volunteering an opinion.

A PR guy had this bizarre idea

After a quick look at ApaKhabar’s piece on AU, he said this could well mean AU is the owner of ApaKhabar!

I wasn’t thrilled but, as while we tend to very protective of the freedom of the Press, we should also accommodate harsh even outlandish criticisms.

Finally, I most recall the AU’s combo of high-speed modes and relationships on the day a large number of journalists converged at a Masjid, in 2020. The occasion was the Solat Jenazah for journalist, Baharom Mahusin.

AU drove past this reporter who was getting into fellow journalist, Khaidir Majid’s car.

AU was already on the road.

“See you Bro Rashid!” AU sped away. He was 69 then. His two juniors were singing his praises on the journey home.

Part Three : The road ahead for Malaysian journalism – coming soon