Kemeriahan menempuh alam perkahwinan...

"Ya Allah Ya Tuhan Kami

Kami memohon restuMu, Berkatilah majlis kami ini, limpahkanlah barakah dan rahmat ke atas pasangan suami isteri ini. Jadikanlah rumahtangga mereka aman dan bahagia dalam ketaatan terhadapMu. Kurniakanlah kepada mereka zuriat yang soleh dan solehah serta berikanlah ketenangan kepada mereka di dunia dan di akhirat. Sempurnakanlah agama mereka dengan ikatan ini.

Amin Ya Rabbal A’lamin."

Doa ini terkandung dalam kad undangan Ketua Pengarang Datuk Zulkefli Salleh dan isteri Datin Ruhiza Hashim untuk majlis perkahwinan dua putera mereka Mohd Ezamir dengan Noorina Mohd Zaki dan Azrul Zaid dengan Tengku Najwa Akmal Tengku Mohammad Shah.

Majlis bertempat di Dewan Besar Tun Rahah, Menara Yayasan Tun Razak di Jalan Bukit Bintang itu amat meriah.

Sambil mengucapkan terima kasih kepada para hadirin, Datuk Zul sekeluarga jelas gembira dengan kedatangan bukan sahaja sanak saudara tetapi juga sahabat handai.

Selain Datuk Azman Ujang, dua lagi mantan pengurus besar -- Datuk Syed Jamil Jaafar, kini penasihat Bernama Radio24 dan Datuk Hasnul Hassan serta isteri masing-masing turut hadir.

Mantan Editor Eksekutif Encik Zainoor Sulaiman, yang baru melangsungkan pernikahan pada 11 Ogos lepas setelah menduda lebih tiga tahun, hadir bersama isteri Puan Nur Hamisah Ahmad.

Satu catatan dalam WhatsApp Bernama ED-Team mengenai majlis yang meriah itu menyatakan: “Nama Tun Razak dan Tun Rahah diabadikan dalam gerbang perkahwinan dua beradik dengan pasangan masing-masing. Semoga beroleh cahayamata yang hebat seperti Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak”.

To frame a catalyst...

A picture is worth a thousand words. A great picture is priceless.

The general manager remarked two nights ago when welcoming Human Resource and Administration Department senior manager S.Visvakumar to the What’sApp Bernama ED-Team that a positive outcome of the recent Editorial Putrajaya retreat was the What’sApp communications.

“Money well spent,” he said.

This prompted a request to be made on the What’sApp this morning for the photo unit to distribute the group photo taken at the retreat.

One participant said he wanted to frame the photograph as an inspiration of their resolve to join hands in moving Bernama forward to a higher plain.

To this, the general manager responded: “Dalam apa-apa ramuan, gerakan atau usaha, peranan catalyst atau pemangkin itu amat penting”.

“Visibility itu amat penting. We should plod on with great articles, features, shows, documentaries etc that will really make our nama harum dan disanjung tinggi. We should not be satisfied with what we have achieved so far…let’s be even better than before!,” said Datuk Yong Soo Heong.

Photo Unit Head Haji Mustaza Nohd Yusoff graciously relayed a few photographs of the retreat, held at the Palm Garden Hotel in Putrajaya on July 4 and 5, via What'sApp. Many responded swiftly with “Thank you” for the memorable photographs.  

The group portrait, taken after the opening ceremony, is itself inspiring. The men had been told to wear suit for  the purpose.The editorial department has not had a group photo for a long time, probably never if the mind could recalled!

So the photograph will remind us of our commitment to work as a team and emerge stronger as a group.

Writing on the topic of “The Secrets of Great Groups” in the Leader to Leader Journal, Warren Bennis stated: “As they say, "None of us is as smart as all of us." That's good, because the problems we face are too complex to be solved by any one person or any one discipline. Our only chance is to bring people together from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines who can refract a problem through the prism of complementary minds allied in common purpose. I call such collections of talent Great Groups. The genius of Great Groups is that they get remarkable people -- strong individual achievers -- to work together to get results. But these groups serve a second and equally important function: they provide psychic support and personal fellowship. They help generate courage. Without a sounding board for outrageous ideas, without personal encouragement and perspective when we hit a roadblock, we'd all lose our way.”

Asean officials discuss regional awareness ….

Since yesterday, Bernama sat as a member of the Malaysia’s delegation at the Asean Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI) in Kuala Lumpur.

The two-day meeting focussed on efforts to promote regional awareness towards the creation of an Asean Community by 2015.

The officials agreed to enhance cooperation and joint activities by leveraging on new and existing regional platforms and networks of press, television, radio, film, digital broadcasting and others.

Two working groups would be formed: the first, on information, media and training (including new media) with Vietnam taking the lead, and the other, on content and production, tasked to Malaysia to prepare the recommendations.

This is in addition to the existing working group on Asean Digital Broadcasting (ADB) supervised by Brunei Darussalam.

The meeting, chaired by Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf, also entrusted the Philippines to study special projects on marketing plan so as to enable the various programmes to be implemented on a stronger footing.

All 10 Asean member countries and the Asean Secretariat attended the meeting.

Bernama was represented by Deputy Editor-in-Chief (International News Service) Ahmad Zukiman Zain alongwith officials from Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Information Department and  National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) in the delegation led by Communications and Multimedia Ministry's deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Rothiah Omar.

A bus crash to remember....

Accidents and disasters involving the loss of many lives are some of the hardest stories to cover. Reporters at the scene must gather important information under very difficult circumstances and produce stories on very tight deadlines.
Managing the coverage is even stressful as editors must ensure sufficient strength on the ground to report every possible angles  of the accident.

So when a loaded bus plunged into a deep ravine in the hill resort of Genting Highlands killing 37 people this afternoon, the newsdesk was set for a long, demanding day.  Sixteen others were injured, some critically in country’s worst bus crash.

Our flash/one-liner of the crash went out at 4.39pm:

“Sebuah bas ekspres dengan lebih 40 penumpang jatuh gaung di KM3 Lebuhraya Karak menghala Kuala Lumpur pada 2.45 petang – Bomba”

This was followed with an updated flash at 5.55pm:

“33 dikhuatiri terkorban dalam nahas bas ekspres dekat Genting Highlands - Penolong Pengarah Operasi Bomba dan Penyelamat KL”

The English version promptly went out at 6.02pm:

“33 feared dead in bus crash near Genting Highlands - KL Fire and Rescue Department deputy director”

By then reporters and photographers were already at the scene and hospitals.

Another flash went out at 6.06 pm

“Latest 33 believed dead.”

“Lebih 30 mayat belum dibawa keluar dari bas malang – bomba.”

At 6.47pm, General News Service Editor Haji Khairdzir Yunus sent a message on Bernama ED-Team What’sApp to say that he was recalling people and may be operating overnight.

“Have sent 5 reporters to the scene, 3 at KLH, 2 at Selayang Hospital, 1 at Bentong Hospital. Latest (as at 6.45pm), 49 passengers  involved, 16 saved, 31 feared dead, 2 confirmed dead.”

At 6.51pm, General Manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong text the following message:

“Please help to provide good coverage which we can be proud of.

Some stories can be from reporters eye witnessing account. Tak payah tunggu OCPD atau pegawai bertanggungjawab. Speed and accuracy being  primary concerns.”

 The final count was relayed by Haji Khairdzir at 9.23pm:

“Latest sehingga 9 malam. 37 maut daripada 53 penumpang”.

 Just after midnight, Datuk Yong sent a message at 12.07 am:

“Salam. Just a reminder that we should also highlight work done by bomba, civil defence, police, government personnel etc in our stories.

Syabas to the Bernama reporting team! TV3 quoted us in its 12 midnight Nightline bulletin. Great work. This is the kind of visibility that we seek. Syabas.”

Haji Khairdzir sent a nessage at 1.05am to inform that newsdesk will operate round the clock.

“We have 3 reporters on standby from midnight until 7am at HKL where the post-mortem on the 37 bodies are being carried out. Post-mortem started at 11.30pm and expected to complete after 9 to 10 hours. James will man the desk until Muin comes in at 7. One sub-editor each from the BM/I subs desk will be on duty at their respective desk. Dot.com is also putting their men on standby.”

A landmark education deal...

The Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and UCSI University today inked a landmark agreement on Higher Education Fund and Co-operatives Placement that will provide the opportunity for further studies and upskilling for BERNAMA staff and their children.

The education fund is worth RM1 million yearly, and eligible candidates can choose from a wide range of academic programmes as well as short courses offered by the university. It also entitles them to apply for the Blue Ocean Strategy MBA - a UCSI premier executive education programme.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by BERNAMA chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and UCSI chairman and founder Datuk Peter Ng, and witnessed by BERNAMA general manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong and UCSI deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Teoh Kok Soo.

Also present at the event, held at the UCSI campus in Cheras, were BERNAMA editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, deputy editor-in-chief (economic news service) Amer Hamzah Md Sap, deputy editor-in-chief (audio visual service) Mokhtar Hussain and editor I (general news service) Khairdzir Md Yunus.

The MoU, which is expected to take effect next month, also allows BERNAMA to be the media partner of UCSI, with publicity across multiple platforms including the television, radio, print, event management and online channels.

It will also see BERNAMA providing internship for UCSI students.

Speaking to reporters after the signing, Abdul Rahman said the MoU was significant as it goes beyond any normal MoU of just providing internship for students.

"It is a win-win situation for both, where UCSI will get greater publicity exposure through our extensive network and services while our staff and their children will have the chance to pursue their studies at the university.

"We also see it as a corporate social responsibility of BERNAMA . I sincerely hope that this collaboration is the beginning of a very fruitful relationship between BERNAMA and UCSI," he said.

With the partnership, he said, BERNAMA could also tap the expertise of UCSI's academicians and professionals in various fields and issues.

Meanwhile, Ng expressed optimism that UCSI's publicity and image can be further enhanced through the landmark partnership.

He said he was confident that BERNAMA would serve as an effective praxis centre for the university's students, lecturers and experts panel.

Founded in 1986, UCSI University offers some 100 academic programmes from diploma level upwards as well as professional and short courses.

-- BERNAMA

To drive in India...

You driving? Here!? is the common “shocking” question that I got when I decided to drive in New Delhi. And my answer or rather a question was: Why Not?

After all it is a car and I had work to do. The service provider failed to provide a substitute when my driver Raj had to go back to Kerala for a family emergency.

The service providers here can be a pain at such times.

By train its three days to reach the Southern State, which means I would be without driver for more then a week as traveling alone would take six days, exactly when Eid Mubarak celebration was taking place, which means work that I can’t avoid.

Besides, how could I miss the ketupat and lemang? No way.

So, that was exactly when I told myself, I got to do this. No harm trying and how difficult would it be to drive a car? It is not a totally new experience for me given that I drove when I was back in Malaysia.

The reality was not so difficult. In fact, I didn’t find driving in New Delhi any different from Malaysia.

It is just that was one got to be more vigilant as homeless kids could just jump in front of your car, drivers that often beat the traffic (which is also common in Malaysia) and the worse is finding a car or lorry driving on the wrong lane, right opposite you.

But, if you’re focus, careful and maintain a safe speed. You’re on a safe side.

So, in life sometimes you just got to take the chances. Create your own path and make a difference. It felt good to do something that majority of foreigners are afraid to do.

And the best part is, no one would stare at you if you accidentally HONK!

By Saraswathi Muniappan

Bernama New Delhi

A proud moment ....

It was something to be proud of when the prime minister referred to a Bernama article to remind the public to be wary of cyber scam.

"It pays to keep up-to-date with the latest cyber scams. Please be careful especially with bank and credit card details," Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in his twitter account today.

His tweet also attached a link to the Bernama article written by Arthur Edward with the heading 'Look out for cyber cheats'.

“Inilah ‘visibility’ yang sering saya maksudkan,” kata Pengurus Besar  Datuk Yong Soo Heong menerusi WhatsApp Bernama-ED Team.

The report  said cyber crimes such as cheating using the identity of a bank via e-mail and SMS can be avoided if the people are more careful when using technology.

Association of Banks Malaysia (ABM) assistant general manager Joanne Wong said such cases occur when the swindler sends e-mail, SMS or make a telephone call to obtain personal details such as credit card details, password and transaction authorisation code (TAC) from victims by posing as a bank representative.

Berazam melahirkan pemenang …

Timbalan Ketua Pengarang Perkhidmatan Berita Ekonomi (PBE), Haji Amer Hamzah Md Sap berazam melahirkan para wartawan yang pakar dalam bidang pengkhususan masing-masing.

Sejak dinaikkan pangkat 15 Julai lepas, beliau memulakan langkah awal dengan cuba mengetahui apa yang wartawan di perkhidmatan itu “tahu dan tidak tahu” serta keperluan mereka dari segi pemberitaan.

“Ada yang tidak faham mengenai fokus berita atau laporan khas dan apa yang dikatakan colour story, jadi kita akan adakan kursus selepas Hari Raya,” katanya.

Menurutnya, Pusat Kecemerlangan Bernama bersetuju mengadakan latihan khusus itu yang akan dikendalikan oleh perunding editorial Encik S.Sivaselvam.

 Ia  akan dibuka kepada pemberita-pemberita baru dari perkhidmatan lain kerana  PBE tidak boleh menghantar  semua wartawannya untuk menghadiri kursus sepanjang hari.

“Kita kena pecahkan sesi latihan, jadi boleh juga orang lain ikut menimba ilmu,” katanya.

Beliau berharap latihan seumpama itu akan memantapkan lagi keupayaan para wartawan untuk menghasilkan berita-berita eksklusif.

“KPI berita eksklusif  ekonomi bagi dua suku pertama ini kurang beberapa peratus dan perlu ditingkatkan,” katanya.

“Harap-harap selepas ini, dengan apa yang dipersetujui dalam mesyuarat Editorial untuk mengadakan pengkhususan bagi para wartawan, mereka akan  dapat mengeluarkan berita mengikut pengkhususan dan menjadi pakar dalam bidang masing-masing,” katanya.

Selain pengkhususan dalam produk halal, bidang-bidang lain yang boleh dikhususkan ialah insurans, perkapalan, penerbangan, pengangkutan dan automatif.

“InsyaAllah apabila kita perlu mengeluarkan sesuatu berita nanti, kita sebut saja dan wartawan berkenaan sudah boleh menghasilkan berita dalam masa sejam dua,” katanya.

Mengenai pelantikannya, Haji Amer berkata ia satu tanggungjawab besar yang bukan untuk “suka-suka atau  seronok”.

“Saya ambil secara serius dan berharap apa yang saya rancangkan, berjaya.

“Saya nak wujudkan pemenang dalam bidang masing-masing, kita harap selepas ini bukan hanya satu unit yang menang anugerah atau penghargaan dalam mana-mana  pertandingan tetapi juga pemenang dalam sektor-sektor berkenaan,” katanya.