Pak Saiful instrumental in strong M'sia-Indonesia media ties

KUALA LUMPUR: The Senior Adviser of the Indonesian National News Agency (Antara) Saiful Hadi who died in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday, was an important individual in firming bilateral ties between the media of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said this was because of Saiful, who was better known as Pak Saiful, played a significant role in boosting the cordial relations and was very familiar with the Malaysian socio-politics.
"He was very well-known as he was an instrumental character in fostering the close ties between the media of the two nations be it individually or as a former general head of Association of Indonesian-Malaysian Journalists Solidarity (ISWAMI).
"We were often in communication especially if 'hot' issues are triggered in the media. This year alone, I met him twice, namely, in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. On July 25, despite undergoing dialysis treatment, he managed to join a delegation of journalists to Kuala Lumpur from Indonesia.
"I last met him in Jakarta on Aug 1 at an appreciation ceremony for the Indonesian and Malaysian media hosted by Malaysian ambassador Datuk Seri Zaharin Hashim whereby Pak Saiful was conferred a special award for his contributions to the Indonesia-Malaysia ties.

Indonesian media reported that Pak Saiful died at 9.30pm, Sunday (Indonesia time), believed to be from a heart attack and his funeral was scheduled for Monday.
Sharing Azman's views, Bernama General Manager Datuk Zulkefli Salleh regarded the passing of Pak Saiful as deeply felt for his role as a true media friend who was sincere and honest in building closer ties between the two countries.
Zulkefli, who is also the ISWAMI Chairman in Malaysia, said Pak Saiful was among the Indonesian journalists who founded the organisation to build understanding and creating bilateral ties between the Indonesian and Malaysian media.
"The media play an important role and can be used as an instrument to unite or divide society. That was why ISWAMI was set up. I hope the excellent effort of Pak Saiful can be continued by other journalists in the form of intention and action," he said.
Meanwhile, Bernama Editor-In-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abd Wahab said the late Saiful had opened many chapters and opportunities related to media activities of both countries that he became well-known to Malaysian journalism figures.

"He had developed close ties with the Malaysian media and this was apparently not only at the official but also a personal level, when he was the Antara Chief Editor.
"As such, Malaysia and Indonesia relations were at a good level because the media of both countries always preserved the friendship between the people and both governments.
"In fact, many crimes were solved and eased via the roles played by both sides," he said.
Media Prime Berhad former chairman Tan Sri Johan Jaafar said the late Pak Saiful was very well known during the peak of the Malaysia-Indonesia media crisis following the housemaid issue and the ownership of Ambalat, a sea block in the Sulawesi Sea, which became the contention of both nations.
He said the late Pak Saiful at that time had used the best platform in easing and solving the crisis without affecting ties between the two countries.

In addition, Johan said the late Saiful had also set up Yayasan Kerumpunan Indonesia-Malaysia (YKAIM) recently as a platform to gather intellectuals, businessmen and former journalists to interact with one another.
"Personally, he had a strong spirit. Despite being ill, he was willing to go down to the field to carry out the trust and responsibility given to him," he said.
Meanwhile, a Malaysian media friend who was close to him, Sabaruddin Ahmad Sabri said Pak Saiful was among the Indonesian journalists, close friends and media leaders who often visited Malaysia in boosting close Malaysia-Indonesian media ties.
"The late Pak Saiful was easy to approach. Despite being busy, he always treated seriously the ties between the two nations and placed importance on the trust given. It's a big loss," he said.
Meanwhile, Media Prima Berhad's former News Executive Director and Iswami Administrative Council member, Datuk Ahmad Abd Talib said Pak Saiful was very concerned about efforts to strengthen relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
"We at Iswami felt very comfortable discussing with the late Pak Saiful. He also used to come to Malaysia often to look for good initiatives in the interest of bilateral relations between the two countries. It was also easy to get closer to Pak Saiful. His jokes were always entertaining too," he added. — Bernama