I don’t think that my kind of journalism has ever been universally popular. It’s lonely out here.
–Hunter S. Thompson, American journalist and author
It is exactly seven days today that I lost a buddy and a great colleague. There is no one like him. I am not sure if I will ever come across anyone like him in future. The probability is very small.
He was a unique person, one of a kind. I am referring to Mr Jimmy Adit, our deputy executive editor. His sudden passing not only shocked everyone in New Sarawak Tribune but also the entire journalism fraternity in the state.
It was very sudden, and completely unexpected. He was emerging from his shower around 8.30 that fateful evening when he complained of feeling fatigued and dizziness.
According to his wife, moments later he was gone, apparently of a heart attack.
Almost everyone who knew Jim, as he was known among friends — from top political figures to the ordinary people in his village — is reeling from his passing. I am one of those still coming to terms that he is no longer with us.
As a friend he was affable, cheerful, considerate, easy going, generous, honest, humourous, affectionate, a good listener, loyal, forgiving, gentle, sympathetic, and the list goes on.
And as a colleague he was responsible, trustworthy, diligent, ethical, obedient and extremely reliable.
Give him any task and rest assured it will be carried out smoothly and the way you would have wanted it done. Jimmy was never distracted by what’s happening around him.
He was one who would never go against instructions. I will never forget his favourite phrase, “Instructions should be carried out whether you like it or not. We are paid to do the job, so we just have to do it!”
I first met Jim at a function in the late eighties. We were both covering an event graced by the then chief minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. Jim came across as a nice guy and we clicked well immediately.
I was with The Borneo Post (BP) then while he was with the People’s Mirror, I think; I can’t really remember.
Anyway, years later I rode to his kampung in Serian to invite him to join us as a sub-editor, which he accepted without giving it a second thought.
I will never forget his hospitality. Knowing that I had a long ride, he insisted that I should stay back for lunch. He told his wife to rush to Serian town to buy a big white pomfret, my favourite, and some vegetables to cook a hearty meal.
Jim started working as a sub-editor the next morning. I never regretted my decision to convince my boss to hire him.
He was eager to learn and always gave his 101 percent. To cut a long story short, he eventually became the deputy chief editor, assisting me. I remember recommending a hefty increment to encourage him to assume the deputy’s post.
The HR manager wasn’t willing to give a huge jump and I had to bypass her and approach the CEO, a nice man and one of the best bosses I had the opportunity to work for. Under his leadership BP has progressed to be the leading paper in Sarawak.
Then in 2010 when I decided to move on to The Star, a national tabloid, Jim insisted on following me. But I had to discourage him. He was a key editorial staff member so I can’t be seen depriving BP of its senior journalists.
Several other senior editors and reporters followed me to the national tabloid. Jim stayed back and helped BP during the brief difficult time.
Nevertheless, a year later, Jim eventually joined The Star as a senior editor.
When The Star decided to cease its Sarawak edition after less than five years of operation, we went our separate ways. Not for long though, because two years later in 2015 I was invited by Kuala Lumpur-based Sarawak corporate figure Tan Sri Clement Hii to help manage the online The Ant Daily news portal. I decided to move to Kuala Lumpur as the managing editor.
Jim was recruited as a senior writer based in Kuching and this was where he made a name for himself as a political writer. His writings were well received by readers.
Both of us left two years later. But we kept in touch and met frequently over roti canai and teh tarik to exchange ideas on political developments in the country and state.
In 2019 when my current boss Dr Jeniri Amir suggested that I help to ‘revive’ the New Sarawak Tribune (ST), I gladly accepted. I proposed that I would like to assemble a good team of veteran journalists which would include Jim to which Dr Jeniri accepted.
I felt Dr Jeniri, who is a prolific writer and a great journalist himself, was the right person to head the paper. He is assisted by another experienced and veteran journalist, Rudi Affendi Khalik.
Jim didn’t disappoint us and was of great help in the editorial section. At 65, he was still sharp and active until that fateful day. I feel I have had my right hand chopped off following the demise of my great pal and colleague.
Farewell Jim, till we meet again on the other side.
