Painful loss: Rozaid will be sorely missed by his colleagues.
PETALING JAYA: Dedicated, a true gentleman and irreplaceable – that is how colleagues of the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, the media and strategic communications director at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), described the newsman who passed away yesterday.
In conveying his condolences, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Rozaid’s passing was a great loss to the media industry, highlighting Rozaid’s dedication and commitment in carrying out his duties.
“He was friendly, helped others and was very respected.
“His passing is a big loss for the media industry and he will always be remembered.
“My deepest condolences to his family and close friends,” Fahmi said in a social media post.
Rozaid, 59, passed away yesterday evening after experiencing heart complications at his home in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
He was admitted for treatment at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah, Serdang, on July 1 and was discharged on Aug 6.
While in hospital, Rozaid was visited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other Cabinet ministers.
Rozaid was previously with Star Media Group, with his last position as group consulting editor.
He was also previously group editor of Sinar Harian.
He started his career as a cadet reporter for Utusan Malaysia in April 1984.
Rozaid also served as press secretary to Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin when the latter was Higher Education Minister.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said he was deeply saddened to learn of Rozaid’s demise.
“We had just texted each other last week. I have known him since the early 90s and we covered many overseas assignments together.
“Both of us are Penangites and share many common interests. He was a very good friend,” he said.
Wong, who is also Star Media Group adviser, said Rozaid delivered many scoops including revealing a secret tunnel built by the Communist Party of Malaya along the Malaysia-Thai border in 1989.
“He was competent in both English and BM, having served in Utusan Malaysia, Sinar Harian and The Star.
“As the strategic communications director at the Prime Minister’s Office, he was helpful to the media and certainly, it will be a loss to the Prime Minister,” he said.
Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng said it was a sad day for Star Media Group and herself personally.
“Roz was a long-time staff with us and a personal friend to so many of us.
“He is irreplaceable, really. He was the savvy editor we all ran to for guidance to clear difficult, sensitive stories or other articles, and he was the one we leaned on in times of crisis,” she said.
Ng said Rozaid was a gem not only to the editorial department but others in Star Media Group as well.
“I have lost a good friend, someone we not only worked with but ate and laughed with a lot. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.
Star Media Group managing editor Brian Martin said Rozaid was more than a colleague.
“I considered him a mentor and more than that, a friend. Before his secondment to the PMO, he was my frequent lunch buddy. He was a proud Penangite and foodie,” he said.
“As a seasoned newspaperman who had seen it all, Rozaid provided invaluable advice to many of The Star journalists, including myself. Farewell, Roz, you will be missed.”
The Star chief news editor Paul Gabriel said Rozaid was a true gentleman and very easy-going.
“There were no formalities with him even after he assumed his post at the PMO,” he said.
“We knew each other as young journalists and he had that extra vigour and passion in going about his duties.”
Gabriel said Rozaid also played the role of mentor to many young journalists during his later years.
“He was someone I very much looked up to. When I visited him at the hospital last month, he was cheerful and looking forward to resuming work.
“I will miss him tremendously for all the good values he championed and for his sharp, probing mind when it came to matters of national importance,” he said.
Several Cabinet ministers including Ahmad Zahid, Mohamed Khaled, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also conveyed their condolences in their respective Facebook accounts.
