FOR almost two weeks, from Feb 6 to Feb 17, 2020, the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman explored Java Island with us.
We started in Jakarta, then proceeded to Bandung, Tasikmalaya, Yogyakarta, Solo, Ponorogo, and Kediri, before concluding our journey in Surabaya. There were seven of us, all former journalists from Utusan Melayu.
Throughout the trip, there were moments when he had to review content or speak with editors over the phone. And we always had to remind him to enjoy the break.
“Forget about work. This is a vacation.”
But Rozaid, being Rozaid, took his responsibilities seriously. We understood the weight of his duty at that time.
The trip was even more enjoyable because the six of us who were already retired constantly teased Rozaid while he continued to work.
It was a journey which etched deep meaning into our hearts; its memories will forever linger. Until today, we are still part of a chat group created for that adventure.
For the past month or so, our group has deeply felt his absence. When Rozaid was hospitalised due to a heart attack, he became inactive in the chat for a while. However, as his condition improved, he reappeared. He spent over a month at the Serdang Heart Centre. And whenever we had the chance, we visited him. Even those from a larger chat group of Utusan friends did the same.
And we realised that he was not the Rozaid we once knew. He appeared to be much weaker than before. We can imagine the burden he carried, often relying on oxygen aid to breathe.
It was not the first time Rozaid had a brush with health challenges. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was infected by the virus and eventually experienced Long Covid, which took over three months to clear up. Even then, he did not consider himself to be “fully healed”.
The late Rozaid will be missed, especially by his family, here during his burial in Putrajaya. — Bernama
At that time, he was the Chief Editor of the Sinar Harian Group. Not long after, he encountered slip disc problems and had to undergo surgery, before returning to SMG.
Once again, his tenure there was brief. He was appointed the Media and Strategic Communications director at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
In critical situations where communication is always a challenge for the Madani government, I believed Rozaid was the right choice. Nevertheless, I inquired about his health condition.
On a scale of one to 10, where did he truly stand? His answer was: “Not too high, but not too low.”
I reminded him that this is no ordinary task. Will he be capable of keeping up with the Prime Minister’s pace? Is he willing to work beyond office hours? Is he prepared to be anywhere when needed? I worried about him.
But like my other colleagues, I supported the decision he made.
I understood Rozaid’s commitment. I had confidence that his presence in the PMO would lead to significant progress in media management and communication strategies. It was something acknowledged by everyone.
I knew Rozaid for over 32 years. When I became the Chief Editor at Utusan in November 1992, I had the opportunity to meet several promising young journalists.
Among them was Rozaid. He joined Utusan in 1984, eight years before I started my service. Both my deputy (Datuk Khalid Mohd) and I recognised his abilities. We appointed him as chief reporter and later as news editor.
Several years later, Rozaid came to see me. He had decided to leave Utusan. I asked him why. He said wanted to fully focus on politics and perhaps engage in business ventures.
I was aware that Utusan had lost many journalists to the political arena. However, I advised Rozaid: “Stay here; you have potential. You are chief editor material.”
Despite my advice, he left. As far as I recall, even before that, he had requested for unpaid leave to “see the world” with a friend.
Contributions to journalism
Life was not easy for Rozaid after leaving Utusan. Although he was involved in several publications, none had lasted. Moreover, he played a significant role in the Reformasi movement in 1998.
I, too, had to leave Utusan in April 1998 as part of the process of purging “Anwar’s people” from the media. Datuk Ahmad Nazri Abdullah from Berita Harian and Yunus Said from TV3 also had to take a step back and resign.
Not much is known about Rozaid’s actions during those critical and challenging moments, following Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s removal from office at that time. The stigma of being “Anwar’s man” could not easily be shed.
Rozaid later joined SMG before becoming the group editor-in-chief of Sinar Harian on Jan 4, 2021, and I am confident that he injected fresh dynamism into the newspaper before leaving on Dec 30, 2022.
In the days before he was discharged from the hospital, I visited Rozaid once more. Despite his health challenges, he remained cheerful. However, Rozaid’s face carried a hint of uncertainty.
He appeared frail and weary. On a small table in his room lay a stack of books, including several novels by Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Rozaid sought my perspective on how to approach Pramoedya’s works.
“Start from the end,” I advised.
Pramoedya’s novels speak of the author. Whether it’s Bumi Manusia, Keluarga Gerilya, or Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu (This Earth of Mankind, Guerilla Family, or A Mute’s Soliloquy), his narratives are always autobiographical.
Pramoedya was a master storyteller and regardless of where you begin flipping the pages, his narrative will remain. Besides, it is my practice when reading books to start from the end to avoid boredom. I also reminded Rozaid of a quote from the novel Bumi Manusia which I believe was highly relevant to his role: “Don’t just say yes-yes-yes. You’re an educated person, not a yes-man. If you disagree, speak up. The truth may not always be on my (our) side.”
Rozaid left us last Sunday, Aug 18, leaving behind special memories of a man who contributed significantly to the world of journalism.
I have too many fond and interesting memories of him. I never considered myself his “boss”, but rather an older brother who always appreciated him.
Al-Fatihah.
Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar is a former Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka chairman. He is also a National Journalism Laureate. This tribute was first published in Sinar Harian.
