Happy birthday and thank you, Pak Samad ..LD: Jacob Paul, Former Assistant Group Editor, NST PAK Samad is one of a handful people who have helped shape my life as a journalist. I remember when I was a young reporter, 34 years ago, living not only in awe b.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

Jacob Paul, Former Assistant Group Editor, NST PAK Samad is one of a handful people who have helped shape my life as a journalist. I remember when I was a young reporter, 34 years ago, living not only in awe but in fear of Pak Samad. He was then the managing editor and used to sit in a "glass cage" almost in the middle of the editorial floor. From this "control tower" he kept watch on everything that went on. There was no fooling Pak Samad. He seemed to be everywhere at the same time. One minute he would be in his room, the next, right behind you.

Together with the late Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee, Pak Samad ran a tight ship. He was a strict disciplinarian but he had a gentle side. If you had a problem, professional or personal, you could always depend on Pak Samad to lend a sympathetic ear. …