“The latest is that Ku Seman Ku Hussain, another big name in journalism, has decided to leave the paper as well.

“Ku Seman spent more than 32 years with Utusan Melayu.”

His farewell column, where he described Utusan Malaysia as his second university, can be read in the paper’s Sunday edition, added Zainuddin Maidin, who was also once with Utusan Malaysia as Editor-in-Chief.

“They, like others, have nothing but love for Utusan Melayu. They leave the newspaper aware that political animalism has overcome humantarian considerations in the world of journalism.

“They are aware that there are political animals in the world of journalism too.”

Every journalist who carved a name for himself at Utusan Malaysia, recalled Zainuddin, left the newspaper saluting it, having inherited, continued, and contributed in the traditions and spirit of Utusan Malaysia as a newspaper that has struggled for generations since 1939.

“They were aware that they were merely riding on its greatness. Every sacrifice they made, whether to the right or the left, help increased its blessings and supremacy.”

Walking down memory lane, Zainuddin recalled that Utusan Malaysia’s managing director and first Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ishak went on to become the first President of Singapore.

“Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew acknowledged Utusan Melayu’s contribution to political developments in Singapore and Malaya under Yusuf’s leadership.”

Samad Ismail, another great, came out from jail and entered jail while he was with Utusan Malaysia, continued Zainuddin.

“He continued with the Utusan Melayu spirit with other newspapers.

“He was feared, being imbued with the spirit of Utusan Melayu, and was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia.”

Said Zahari, cannot be forgotten either.

“He was held under the ISA in Singapore for 17 years for having inherited the struggle and the spirit of Utusan Melayu.

“Others who followed in the pebbles of their footsteps were Melan Abdullah, Mazlan Nordin and Johan Jaafar.”