Abdul Samad Ismail

Abdul Samad Ismail (April 18, 1924 - September 4, 2008), who often went by Pak Samad, was a Malaysian journalist, writer and editor.

Early life

Samad was born on April 18, 1924, in Singapore, where he also attended school. cite news |first= |last=|title=Pak Samad dies at 84 |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/5/nation/22246821&sec=nation|work=The Star (Malaysia) |publisher=|date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2008-09-13] He completed a Senior Cambridge certificate as a cub reporter at the daily newspaper, "Utusan Melayu", where he began his career in journalism in 1940.

Career

During the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II, Samad worked for the Japanese supported newspaper, "Berita Malai". He became editor of "Berita Malai" when he was just 21 years old. The British, who controlled Malaysia during the colonial era, returned following the Japanese defeat and briefly imprisoned Samad. He was released after a short time and returned to work at the "Utusan Melayu".

Samad wrote extensively in supporter of Malaysian independence from the United Kingdom. He often met with Malay supporters of indepdence, as well as separatists against Dutch rule in nearby Indonesia. For his actions, Samad was arrested by British authorities again in 1951. He was released from prison in 1953 and returned to work at "Utusan Melayu".

Samad founded the People's Action Party (PAP) with Lee Kuan Yew, the future Prime Minister of Singapore. However, disagreements between Samad and both Lee and the "Utusan Melayu" resulted in his move to the city of Kuala Lumpur. While in Kuala Lumpur, Samad became head of the "Berita Harian" and the managing editor of the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) group.

Samad promoted several social causes within his writing in post-independence Malaysia. He drew attention to social inequalities within Malaysian society, called for the national standardization of the Malay language and reported on the sometimes complex relationship between race and Malaysian politics.

For his writings on social issues, which were popular with the public, Samad was arrested in 1976 under the Internal Security Act. He was finally released from prison five years later in 1981.

Samad rejoined the New Straits Times Press group following his release from prison as an editorial adviser. He retired from full time journalism in 1988.

Awards

He was honored for his career in 1992 by the King of Malaysia, who at the time was Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak. Samad also separately received the Pejuang Sastera (Literature Champion) for literature and journalism.

Samad was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communications Arts in 1994 for his efforts in support of Malaysian independence, democratic nation building and Malay cultural revival.

Death

Pak Samad died on September 4, 2008, at Pantai Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur from a lung infection and kidney failure at the age of 84. Samad had been hositalized in intensive care since August 24, 2008, with difficulty breathing.

Samad was survived by his second wife, Puan Sri Habibah. He had ten children during his life, eight of whom are still living. His children included his youngest daughter, Nur Azrina, and as well as Nuraina, a former journalist and blogger. Samad's first wife, Hamidah Hassan, died in 1990.

Pak Samad was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.

References