SHAH ALAM: Any proposals made to establish an institution in remembrance of renowned journalist Tan Sri A Samad Ismail should be done properly and diligently, says Tun Musa Hitam.
The former deputy prime minister expressed his support for the proposal to develop an institution under A Samad's name to remember his contributions towards the nation.
He said the establishment of the A Samad Institution could be placed under a renowned local university, the government or independent from any institutions.
The challenge, he said, is to ensure that the financial aspects of the institution are solid.
"One of the ideas (to remember A Samad's contributions) is to set up an institution in a university in our country or maybe even set up an independent institute. Maybe we can set up this institute in accordance with the current laws.
"I agree with this idea and I hope that those who propose could establish it as a memorial and more importantly as a place to improve and define the journalism profession in Malaysia," he said in his speech at the Simposium Memperingati Tan Sri A Samad Ismail, here, today.
The symposium, organised by Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UiTM) Communication and Media Studies Faculty, in collaboration with the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC - IIUM), aims to discuss the thoughts and contributions of this national journalism figure in the socio-political context of Malaysia.
Musa added that the biggest challenge among all journalists is to refrain from being motivated by financial gains and to be an ethical and responsible person.
"I want to ask if there is a new Samad Ismail among all of us. Can anyone here ( journalists) consider him/herself as the new Samad Ismail?
"With the current situation in our country that is in great need of quality and responsible journalists, the qualities required (for a journalist) include honesty, being principled and trustworthy (beramanah), especially in issues linked to corruption," he said.
Meanwhile, National Journalism Laureate, Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar, who also appeared as one of the keynote speakers in the symposium, has suggested for UiTM to establish a school or course for journalism, scholars and statesmanship in honour of A Samad Ismail.
"Whatever is decided at the end of the symposium later, will maintain his legacy as a journalist, scholar and statesman," he said.
Also present at the symposium was New Straits Times Group Editor Farrah Naz Karim and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Associate Professor Dr Abd Rasid Abd Rahman.