Media veteran Abd Jalil Ali passes away

Mentor to many: Abd Jalil was remembered as an inspiration.

PETALING JAYA: The media industry lost a well-regarded veteran when Sinar Harian editorial executive adviser Datuk Abd Jalil Ali died after a short illness. He was 66.

His passing will be deeply felt among members of the fraternity, not least of whom is Karangkraf Media Group chairman Datuk Dr Hussamuddin Yaacub, who tweeted that he had not only lost a dear friend but “the journalism world has lost a star”.

Abd Jalil, who had been in journalism for 47 years, leaves behind wife Datin Sharifah Nooraiya Syed Hassan and four children.

Haikal, 31, said his father, who died at 6.32am yesterday, hailed his father’s influence in his career.

“My father started his journalism career in Utusan Malaysia. He was not only my father but also my guru and media mentor.

“I learned a lot about journalism from him. My sister and I followed in his footsteps to join the media. He always held true to his principles, writing without fear or favour,” said Haikal, currently a reporter with a local daily.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah expressed his condolences to Abd Jalil’s family.

“Al-Fatihah, may his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous,” Saifuddin tweeted.

Social media posts by many former staff describe Abd Jalil as a “friendly boss” who always made time for them and placed much importance on “praying on time”.

They also warmly recalled his easygoing manner, advice on family matters and his writings.

His former writer Sarina Mohd Som said he was never tired of teaching her how to be a journalist.

“When I first wrote for Sinar Harian, I was shivering but the first person to teach me was Abd Jalil.

“I would write lengthily and every time I wrote, I would print and leave it on his desk. He would explain every paragraph to me and what should be done. I would follow and he never stopped sharing his knowledge. Thank you, boss,” said Sarina on his Facebook timeline.

Another ex-colleague, Nazira Noran, remembered him as an “ex-boss who was nice, humble, funny and motivates in a most kind way”.

Ruby Akash posted that she would miss his stories of his wife and his reminders to them to pray.

“No more teasing. No more stories of his wife Kak Pah. No more hellos in the lift,” she said.

Abd Jalil, who was also chairman of Yayasan Warisan Ummah Ikhlas board of trustees and an adjunct professor at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, was laid to rest at USJ22 cemetery in Subang Jaya yesterday.