Karam Singh Remembered As Punctual, Perfection-driven Journalist -- Colleagues

KLANG, April 6 (Bernama) -- Late Datuk Karam Singh Walia, who passed away today at the age of 67,  will be remembered as a punctual journalist who consistently prioritised perfection in every report throughout his career in broadcasting.

Media Prima On-Air Presentation (OAP) general manager Kamaruddin Mape, who had known Karam Singh since 1997, said his strong discipline in time management was evident in his daily routine at the workplace, especially as they had shared the same desk and sat next to each other.

He said they would remind each other if either one of them arrived late at the office, reflecting the late journalist’s unwavering commitment to professionalism.

According to him, Karam Singh’s eloquence and mastery in delivering reports were among the qualities that should be remembered and emulated by younger generations in the industry.

“He set a very high standard in television broadcasting to the extent that he became a reference point for many, including university students and those involved in the broadcasting industry,” he said when met after paying his last respects at the late journalist’s residence here today.

Kamaruddin said that he had not seen anyone who could do what Karam Singh did, adding that some had tried but had not reached that level.

Meanwhile, another colleague, Mohammad Yazzer Mahmun, 56, said one of the most memorable pieces of advice he received from Karam Singh was to always be sincere in carrying out any task.

Mohammad Yazzer, who now serves as Media Prima’s network representative in Sabah, said he frequently contacted Karam Singh whom had known since 1994 for views and advice, particularly on public complaint issues, which were the late journalist’s area of expertise.

“Yesterday I managed to visit him and his family served me chapati. I wanted two, but he said three, as if to remind me that as being with TV3, we must finish three. His spirit remained with TV3, and he was a journalist I deeply respected for teaching me a great deal in broadcasting.

“We kept in touch almost every week, every month. Each time I came here, I would meet him. So last night was the final meeting. He was waiting for my arrival before he breathed his last. We have lost a towering figure in journalism,” he said.

Born in 1959 in Teluk Intan to a family of a former policeman, Karam Singh began his career as a broadcast journalist with TV3 in 1995 before retiring in 2014 due to health issues.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential environmental journalists, he won the Anugerah Seri Angkasa twice and the MPI Awards for Best Environmental Television Journalist for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007.

He was also among media practitioners who received the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA in June 2024.

-- BERNAMA