KUALA LUMPUR: Former Information Minister, Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin, 79, passed away at 6.40pm on Friday (Dec.14) at Serdang Hospital due to cardiac arrest.
Zainuddin, well- known as Zam, who was also the former Group Chief Editor of Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd, was previously undergoing treatment at the Putrajaya Hospital after suffering from pulmonary edema (water in the lungs).
Earlier it was reported that Zam fainted at his house in Putrajaya before he was rushed to the Emergency Unit of Putrajaya Hospital on Nov.12 and later was transferred to ICU the next morning after doctors detected fluids in his lungs.
He was then transferred to Serdang Hospital where he passed away on Friday evening.
Zam’s body was taken to his house at Precint 10, Putrajaya in the evening while the funeral prayers will be at Surau At-Tarbiah at 9am before the burial held at Taman Melawati Muslim cemetery on Saturday Dec.15.
He left his wife, Puan Sri Zaiton Zainol Abidin and four children, Zairani, Zakinah, Zairin and Zaidan.
When he was in Utusan Melayu, Zam was known as a “serious” boss , Chief Editor as he was consistently concerned about the latest breaking news and “scoop stories” in the country and abroad.
His professionalism and good ethics in journalism on the whole had earned him high respect from the government (Barisan Nasional) in the mid 90’s.
Zainuddin was appointed as Information Minister by then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2006 and served until 2008.
Even though serious at work, he was also well known for his voluntary services – as an advisor to the Kelab Veteran Utusan Melayu (KVUM) and while in Utusan served as president for Badan Keluarga Utusan Melayu (BKUM) for many years.
An evergreen journalist and a writer, Zam had written many books including “Di Depan Api di Belakang Duri” (Fire in Front and Thorns at the Back), “Mahathir di Sebalik Tabir” (Mahathir Behind the Scene) and “Wira tak Didendang” (Unsung Heroes).
To be at par with the latest trend in the social media, Zam also had his blog, Zamkata.blogspot.com.
His latest and last hit story was , he urged Tahfiz Schools (private Islamic schools) in the country to be closed down as students have no clear path in their future career.
His call on Tahfiz Schools had been picked up by many concerned religious groups and individuals who criticised and labelled him with unwarranted names. The issue had been argued extensively in the country for some time.
Zam was also known as a journalist who expressed himself freely without fear and favour. Due to his openness, he was always referred by students in the Institute of Higher Learning as an “Exemplary Journalist” in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed his condolences to the passing away of Zainuddin Maidin.
Najib said: “Every minute of our “fight” together in the party (UMNO) and the Cabinet will always be remembered.”
He wished for Zam’s soul to be blessed by Allah and be placed amongst good Muslims. Al-Fatihah – Malaysia World News
