Khadijah Ibrahim Hails Journalists As Pillars Of Her Success

BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- After over four decades in the entertainment industry, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim says the success and recognition she enjoys today would not have been possible without the support of media practitioners who have followed her journey since the 1970s.

The veteran singer, affectionately known as “Ibu”, described journalists as more than just reporters of an artiste’s achievements, saying they were among the people who helped shape her career and reputation in the industry.

The singer of Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka said the relationship between artistes and journalists in the past was built on trust, respect and genuine friendship, often extending beyond professional boundaries.

According to the younger sister of the late singer Latif Ibrahim, journalists of that era not only followed artistes’ careers but also understood their personal lives while respecting the trust placed in them.

“The relationship between journalists and singers back then was not just about work. They were like family, friends and confidants.

“They knew a lot about our lives, but they also knew how to respect boundaries and keep our trust. That is why the relationships we built were so close and sincere,” she told Bernama.

Khadijah, who is among the performers at the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Grand Finale at PICCA @ Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here today, said the media environment at the time helped promote artistes through positive and respectful coverage rather than controversy.

However, she noted that the media landscape has changed significantly with the rise of digital platforms, where artistes’ personal lives often attract more attention than their artistic achievements and work.

“Sometimes, people take bits and pieces of information, write their own versions and create stories. I don’t like that because it can cause fans to misunderstand an issue,” she said.

Despite these changes, Khadijah, 66, stressed that professional journalists remain relevant and cannot be replaced by technology because they are able to deliver information in a more accurate, balanced and credible manner.

She said journalists also play an important role in helping artistes explain issues more comprehensively to the public, particularly during press conferences.

“When there are no journalists at a press conference, it feels incomplete. I enjoy it when many journalists attend, especially those who ask difficult questions because they help uncover more information and provide deeper perspectives,” she said.

Recalling her fondest memories with the media, Khadijah said she missed the days when journalists frequently travelled alongside artists during album promotions and concert tours.

“We used to travel together for concerts and album promotions. Whenever we went to places such as Singapore, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak, record companies would allocate a budget to bring journalists along. That was when our relationships became even closer,” she said, adding that such arrangements are now difficult due to sponsorship and budget constraints.

In conjunction with HAWANA 2026, she expressed hope that media practitioners would continue to uphold journalistic ethics by prioritising factual accuracy, quality writing and intellectual values to ensure the entertainment industry continues to develop in a healthy manner.

HAWANA 2026 is set to culminate today with the gathering of about 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad at PICCA @ Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the event at 3 pm.

-- BERNAMA