On this date in 1980, four youngsters reported for work as cadet reporters at the Bernama headquarters then located at MCOBA building in Jalan Syed Putra.
They were among hundreds from all over the country who had sat for a written test on news writing in English and Bahasa Malaysia held some weeks earlier at the now-gone Abad Century Hotel, not far from the Bernama HQ.
The written test was followed with an interview by a panel of five Bernama senior officials chaired by Editor-in-Chief Hashim Hassan.
As the all-male batch began their 'orientation' programme, they were asked to 'introduce' themselves in a two-para type-written note that were later printed in 'Berita Bernama' -- the monthly cyclostyled newsletter that enabled Bernamaians to know about the going-ons in the agency then.
Of the four, only Ahmad Zukiman Zain remains in Bernama.
The four of us stood guarantor for one another. The 'íntroductory' notes about ourselves were actually composed on our individual machines.
It took us 10 months to settle the loan after our pay were deducted RM30 a month.
At a time when handphones were unheard of, the amount was big enough for us.
The clicking sound of the typewriter were sweet music to the ears in the newsroom then.
At times, when we had to bring along our typewriter on minibuses, many thought we were petition writers."
Thanks for the pleasant memories, Zukiman. You have an amazing memory in recalling the details.
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