BERNAMA CHURNS OUT SUCCESSFUL JOURNALISTS - FOUNDER

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Since its establishment 41 years ago,
Malaysia's National News Agency (Bernama) has become a major 'factory' in
producing individuals who are successful whether in journalism or other fields,
said one of its founders Abdul Wahab Majid Wednesday.

He said proof of Bernama's capability could be seen through the success of
its first batch of 24 cadet reporters who were now holding several key positions
in institutions of higher learning and other corporate bodies such as A. Kadir
Jasin (Berita Publishing), Prof Syed Arabi Aidid (Universiti Islam Antarabangsa)
and Prof Safar Hashim (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia).

"The first batch have been very successful in their respective career. As
the agency that was responsible in nurturing them, Bernama should certainly be
proud because they have become outstanding individuals as well as well-known
journalists in the country," he said at Bernama's 41st Anniversary celebration
at Wisma Bernama, here.

The ceremony was attended by Bernama Chairman Mohd Anuar Zaini, General
Manager Hasnul Hassan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief (General News Service) Zulkefli
Salleh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Economic News Service) Salbiah Said, and Deputy
Editor-in-Chief (Foreign/International News Service) Ahmad Zukiman Mohd Zain.

Abdul Wahab suggested that the staff of Bernama's editorial department made
the first batch of the editorial cadets as their icons or reference in educating
and churning out a new generation of journalists of calibre.

"I hope members of the editorial staff emulate the success of the first
batch in developing a second echelon of credible journalists," he said.

Abdul Wahab was also amazed that since its inception, Bernama had produced
hundreds of journalists and had been recognised as a factory that churned out
talented journalists, and hoped that with the guidance of the existing team,
there would be more successful journalists emerging from the agency.

"Now, Bernama-trained journalists are everywhere. This must certainly give
pride to the country and the Bernama leadership themselves. I hope Bernama's
success in churning out hundreds of successful journalists can be continued and
enhanced," he said.

Abdul Wahab, 78, joined Bernama on March 19, 1968, about two months before
it began operations officially. He is among the five individuals who were given
the responsibility of setting up the agency and is the only surviving founders
of Bernama.

Abdul Wahab joined Bernama as the Chief Executive of the Bahasa Malaysia
News and left Bernama in the early 1970s when he was appointed Press Secretary
to the late Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, who was then the Home Minister.
-- BERNAMA