Kuala lumpur: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today visited National Journalism Laureate Adibah Amin at her residence here. Fahmi also handed over a contribution from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative to Adibah, marking her as the 671st recipient to date. Additionally, a contribution from the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM) was presented on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi expressed his intentions during the visit, stating, "Today we came to see how she is doing. She is now 90 and staying with her sister, and we pray that she remains in good health." Fahmi was accompanied by senior press secretary to the Prime Minister, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah; Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Broadcasting director-general Ashwad Ismail; and Selangor ICU JPM deputy director Najmuddin Jemain.
Adibah Amin, who is currently in poor health due to her age, requires full-time care. She also suffers from diabetes and is now bedridden. Known for her role as 'Cikgu Bedah' in the comedy film 'Adik Manja', Adibah is a respected figure in Malaysia's journalism and literary circles. Fahmi noted her significant contributions to journalism, highlighting her past roles as editor at The Star and New Straits Times, and her historic appointment as the first woman news editor at Berita Harian.
In June 2024, Adibah was named National Journalism Laureate 2023 at the Malaysian Journalism Night, in conjunction with the 2023 MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards. Fahmi emphasized the importance of Adibah's legacy, encouraging young journalists to emulate her dedication to the profession in Malaysia. He remarked, "My hope for young journalists is that they understand the struggles of their predecessors and realise that they are not just reporting, they play a role in shaping an independent and sovereign nation while maintaining professional standards and ethics."
Meanwhile, Adibah's sister, Khalilah Fadzilah Amin, expressed her gratitude for the care and attention shown to her ailing sister. "I wish to thank everyone who has helped my sister. I truly appreciate their visits and concern for her well-being," she said, adding that a book on Adibah's life will be launched on April 12.