SHAH ALAM: Journalism icon Datuk Ahmad Rejal Arbee Mahmud Isa Arbee was laid to rest at the Muslim burial grounds in Section 21 here at 11.20am, this morning.
Earlier, his remains were brought to the Section 7 Mosque here at 9.30am for prayers before being taken to the cemetery around 10.30am.
Among those seen paying their respects to the former Berita Harian group editor were New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, Berita Harian deputy group editor M. Thillinadan, former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin, and another National Journalist Laureatte Tan Sri Johan Jaafar.
News of Ahmad Rejal's passing was shared by his wife, Datin Noraini Shariff, via a post on Facebook.
He left behind Noraini and his seven children, Ahmad Rizal Arbee, Shazlina Arbee, Shazlifa Arbee, Ahmad Redza Arbee, Ahmad Rejaie Arbee, Ahmad Radhiq Arbee and Awaina Arbee.
Ahmad Rejal's youngest daughter, Awaina Arbee, 32, said her father passed away due to old age. He had been admitted to hospital last week and was suspected to have pneumonia.
She said her father's health began to deteriorate at the end of 2022, where he needed assistance to walk and eat.
"Before that, he was a healthy person, without any illnesses because he took care of his diet and always went to the mosque or surau for congregational prayers."
Awaina said her father might be seen as strict at work but at home, he was a loving father who liked to joke with her.
She said her father was "extremely smart" and the inspiration for many of the things in her life.
"People say he is very 'garang' and stern. But he is a loving man and he showed us his love in his own way. He was the best man that I've ever known.
"He was not just impactful to the family and the journalism industry, he left such a meaningful legacy to the country as well," said Awaina in memory of her late father.
"I am very very proud to have learned from him and had the privilege of being his daughter," she added.
The late Ahmad Rejal was a former Bernama editor-in-chief. He began his service with Bernama in 1969 as a senior reporter before heading to Jakarta, Indonesia, subsequently becoming the agency's first foreign correspondent in 1973.
He was the National Journalism Laureatte in 2014.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier conveyed his deepest condolences to Ahmad Rejal's family.
In a Facebook post, Anwar described the late Ahmad Rejal as a prominent figure in journalism and had contributed an indelible value to journalism in the country.
"He is one of the earliest media practitioners to explore the concept of bilingual media.
"The services, contributions and thoughts of Allahyarham left an indelible impact in the world of press and journalism in Malaysia," Anwar said.
