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Daily Express
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Yeh Pao Tzu changed my destiny: Autobiographer
Published on: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 13, 2025 By: Kan Yaw Chong Text Size: At the book launch: (From left) Yap, Guest of Honour Muguntan Vanar, Chan, CL Chan and Peter Kwan. TAN Sri Yeh Pao Tze, founder of Overseas Chinese Daily News (OCDN) and Daily Express, is the man who shaped his destiny in journalism, newly–crowned Tokoh Wartawan Chan Kwong Yuen, 90, acknowledged. Chan's tribute to Yeh has now been immortalised in his all Mandarin autobiography 'Sixty Years in the Storms of Journalism' which was launched on July 10 at the Dayah Hotel. The book is written in vivid Mandarin, this a translation on the section dedicated to Yeh. On page 19, Chan writes: 'I can say what changed the journey of my life started in my meeting with Yeh Pao Tze who had asked to see me via a third person. 'I cannot remember exactly the date when my father told me the OCDN boss wanted to see me. I said that was strange, how did Yeh Pao Tze know my father is Chan Kwong Choi? 'My guess was through OCDN's interior (Tenom) based stringer, a Mr Wong who must have known me because my father and Wong were fellow Tze Yap, and knew I am the son of Chan Kwong Choi.' 'Either Yeh knew my real name from reports I had filed, or talked to Wong about me, so Wong passed Yeh's word to my father, which seems logical to me. 'I never asked my father much about Yeh's approach, I just went to see him as agreed. 'At that time, the OCDN office in town was located at a lowly-stilted wooden house on Gaya Street.' 'Yeh said at the meeting he had read his reports, and felt that I could be of help, good words to hear. 'In response, I said I wasn't sure if I could deliver since I had never worked in a newspaper before, but he assured me, never mind, you come and try it out, I can teach you. So that's how things were decided. 'That was 1958, after my daily work at the sundry shop finished at 6pm, I would go to the OCDN press in Tanjung Aru. 'At that time, the OCDN press was no grand concrete complex, but merely a single storey but fairly large wooden structure adjacent a bush, which housed the editorial office, proof reading section, paging section and the printing press as well. 'Mr Yeh assigned my role as a wire service reporter, located in a small room at the rear end, with a bed meant for rest. To the right of the door was radio reception spot. 'Facing that radio, I felt like a rat pulling a turtle, I didn't know where to sink my hands into. Sitting beside me, Yeh was unruffled, absolutely concentrating on listening to the radio news broadcast, scribbling symbols for words and phrases at phenomenal speed and then write them into news reports. 'To cover news in those hey days, reporters had no multipurpose smartphones, no way you can tape interviews, you rely on how quick you can jot down a conversation, or remember as much as you can, then file your news reports. 'For speed, you need training. Otherwise, you need a strong memory, or use symbols understandable to yourself because if you try to write down character by character, what is said, you cannot catch up with the speed of the broadcast. But Mr Yeh had the foundation in both speed and self-mastered symbols. 'My beginning in OCDN coincided with eruption of Middle East conflict when war between Israel and Arab countries broke out. Every day, I listened to news broadcast mainly from the Voice of America from Washington, Cairo, Damascus, Tel Aviv, London, Canberra. 'In the beginning I could not use symbols, writing every word that was said meant you could not keep up with the pace of the narration, the only way was resort to the voice recorder, and then transcribe, automatically that delays the writing. It was only after a period of difficult practice that I began to master the task. 'Those days Chinese papers in Sabah did not subscribe to international news agencies like Reuters, AFP, Associated Press, but even if they did, only Pan Asia or Central News Agency Taiwan because they provided reports in Chinese which spared the need to translate. 'So apart from English papers, all Chinese papers depended on radio to obtain international news, especially the Voice of America, the most popular station because of its strong transmission, little or no interference, clear and easy to listen to, unless the weather was very bad. 'After the reports were filed, Yeh would edit and give the heading but gradually, he asked me to write the headings for him to edit. Finally, he let me take charge of international news altogether, headings and all, which gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my talent and that really marked the beginning of my decision to choose journalism as my lifelong career. 'Actually, I never thought that from a goldsmith apprentice to a paper cutter in a printing shop, to a sundry shop attendant, and then one day I would land myself on the journalism route, this was mismatch between my early training and career. 'On the other hand, it also proves that there is nothing impossible under the heaven, only that you don't run away from difficulties, be despondent, self-deprecating and self-abandoning, but do all it takes to learn the trade, forge forward diligently, you can transform you destiny and journey of life. 'The story of Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian boy who landed in New York illegally, and later became a media giant, left a decisive influence on my mindset. 'His fighting spirit, undeterred by setbacks but fought to overcome all odds, his unrelenting drive for facts and depth in reporting and treatment of news became a model for my work and example for learning. 'Now, every journalist in the world, feels a sense of pride in the high calling of the Pulitzer Prize, though they can only look at it from afar.'
Daily Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Daily Express continues winning streak
Published on: Tuesday, July 01, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 01, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas, Sisca Humphrey Text Size: The Daily Express, OCDN and Harian Ekspres team celebrating at KPA 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Publishing House flagship publications Daily Express, Overseas Chinese Daily News and Harian Ekspres, continued to make an impact with multiple awards at the Kinabalu Press Awards (KPA) 2025. The awards on Sunday evening reaffirmed SPH's leading role in upholding quality journalism and providing news that matter to the Sabah public whether via print or digital platforms. Senior Reporter Sherell Ann Jeffrey set a record by again bagging the Journalism Award (English) for the sixth consecutive year. Her series explored how Sabah women are dealing with sexual harassment. She also earned a Merit in the Environmental Reporting category for highlighting conservation concerns over the Maliau Basin alongside senior writer Kan Yaw Chong. The duo took home another merit for their reports over a dispute that affected the future of Borneo's oldest Sikh temple in Tanjung Aru built in 1924. Court correspondent Joan George Mool was honoured with a merit in the News Reporting category for her piece on 'Steps Taken After the Sulu Fiasco'. Ricardo Unto secured a merit in Sports with his article on Sabah's e-sports potential. Special writer, Kan, emerged as Business winner for his series on industrial tree planting and the hope it holds for Sabah's timber sector. Overseas Chinese Daily News' Bong Tze Pin earned two category wins in Business Reporting for his feature on SMJ Energy and another in Environmental Journalism on coral reef bleaching. He also received a merit in the Arts and Culture category, with a piece on traditional practice of sogit in conflict resolution. Reporter Gravin Wong Chian Kyun walked away with two merits. One was for a feature on early autism intervention and another in the Sports category for challenging stereotypes in fitness competitions. Harian Ekspres upheld its Bahasa Malaysia standard with Siti Kazalina Kamaludin winning the top prize in Arts & Culture for War Cry, a celebration of Sabah and Sarawak's traditional heritage. Noor Zafira Mohd Shafie delivered a strong showing with merits in both Business and Environmental Reporting, writing on blue economy strategies and sustainable waste transformation. Meanwhile, Sabah Journalist Association President Mariah Doksil said unverified and half-truth reports could damage businesses, undermine government and political credibility and ultimately disrupt societal harmony. 'We all know the impact of fake news. During elections, social media becomes a prime platform for information warfare and without control, it could harm public stability,' she said. She also highlighted the challenges facing mainstream journalism in the digital age, particularly with the growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI). 'Some of us depend too much on AI to write news, until we let this chatbot decide the facts and the style of writing. 'Yes, AI is helpful, but it still has limits. Let's not surrender our creative juice to a machine,' she said. Mariah proposed that the Government consider smart partnerships with media organisations or GLCs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, especially amid rising economic pressures and shrinking readership of traditional media. 'We believe the role of a free and responsible media must be protected by all parties,' Mariah said. She noted that 268 entries were received this year, reviewed by professional judges under the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI). She said the awards not only honour excellence in journalism but also celebrate the spirit of storytelling that anchors societal progress. 'We are often the storytellers of others' journeys for their struggles, triumphs and turning points. Yet, behind every byline, recording and photo, we too are humans driven to seek and share the truth.' she added. She also acknowledged the Sabah Government's RM110,000 contribution this year which marked an increase from RM100,000 in support of the event. A key highlight of the night was the presentation of the Golden Service Award (Tokoh Wartawan Sabah) to Chan Kang Yuan 90 for his exceptional contribution to journalism over six decades. Chan began his career in 1958 at Overseas Chinese Daily News before rising through the ranks to serve as chief editor of Borneo Times, Sandakan Jit Pao, Merdeka Daily News and Sabah Shi Pao. He was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for 18 months during the post-May 13 emergency period for publishing political content under censorship yet remained steadfast in his principles of truthful and responsible journalism. SJA paid tribute to Chan for his bravery professionalism and deep sense of social responsibility noting that his service has been nothing short of exemplary. In a heartfelt gesture of solidarity the organising committee purchased and distributed 100 packets of rice produced by former part-time Daily Express journalist Stefyanie Myla who is currently raising funds for her young son's medical treatment. Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, former President of the SJA Datuk Muguntan Vanar, President of MPI Datuk Yong Soo Heong and distinguished guests. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
01-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Keningau bids farewell to Milimewa Superstore
Gua (standing) with Amri and the manager of Milimewa Superstore Keningau at the opening of the store in 1996. KENINGAU (June 1): After 29 years as a cornerstone of retail in Sabah's interior, the Milimewa Superstore in Keningau officially closed its doors on Saturday, May 31 2025, bringing to an end a chapter that held economic and sentimental significance for generations of local residents. First opened on 1 June 1996 by then-Keningau District Officer Amri Suratman, the establishment was more than just a supermarket, it stood as a landmark of progress, a community gathering point, and the birthplace of a now-iconic voice in the district, Gua Ah Siew. As emcee of the store's grand opening nearly three decades ago, Gua impressed many with his poised delivery, courteous demeanor, and mastery of event protocol. His eloquence in multiple languages and refined timing quickly set a benchmark for official ceremonies in Keningau and its neighbouring districts. Over the years, he became the go-to master of ceremonies for government events, cultural festivals, and private functions, particularly within the Chinese community, but also in multi-ethnic events across Keningau, Tenom and Tambunan. Now retired from his career as an educator, Gua continues to serve the public as a freelance journalist, contributing diligently to Overseas Chinese Daily News (OCDN), See Hua Daily News, and other local publications. His consistent reporting and grounded community voice have made him a trusted figure in regional journalism. Gua's influence extends beyond the stage and the newsroom. He is an active member of the Interior Journalist Association (IJA), once led by the late Wong You Shion @ Uhim Wong, a respected journalist known for his contributions to both English and Chinese media in Sabah. Together with notable figures such as Johan Aziz, Ramlee Jalimin Jainin, Datuk Peter Ma, Cikgu Samrah Awang Damit, Marutin Ansiung, Henry Dulasim, Fung Tack Wee, the late Robert Lee Yee Fook, and Tham Thau Fatt, Gua has played a key role in elevating the credibility and influence of rural journalism in Sabah. He is also actively involved in numerous Chinese community associations, further cementing his reputation as a unifying figure in local civic life. While the closure of Milimewa Superstore marks the end of a physical institution, it also brings into focus the lasting legacy of individuals who helped define that era.
