“The newspaper is a greater treasure to the people than uncounted millions of gold.”
Henry Ward Beecher, American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer and speaker.
IF you are reading today’s newspapers now, do spare a thought for the reporters, photographers and editors who worked hard yesterday to bring you the news.
Yesterday was Nomination Day, the day for candidates contesting in the 15th general election to submit their nomination papers.
The candidates did so between 9 am and 10 am at 222 nomination centres located at many places in the country including district offices, community halls and school halls.
Yesterday was also the day political parties began campaigning in earnest. There will be 14 days of campaigning before Malaysians go to the polls on Nov 19. The Election Commission has set Nov 15 for early voting.
I was in the office by 11 am yesterday, writing this column and preparing myself mentally for a long and busy day ahead.
Even before I reached the office, I received a WhatsApp message from my executive editor, reminding me and my colleagues to be in the office earlier than usual.
“Not everyone will do election-related work but you might do the usual stuffs to free others who do work on the nomination news,” he said.
On Friday night, while on my way home, I saw Democratic Action Party (DAP) flags being erected near the traffic lights in the vicinity of CityONE Megamall Kuching.
“That’s early,” I said to myself.
Election is an exciting time for reporters, photographers and editors in Malaysia.
As I was writing this column, a young photographer came in and told me, “I have been at the nomination centre since 7.30 am. There were a lot of GPS supporters.”
He was covering Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who is contesting in Santubong.
Indeed, the best place to be on Nomination Day is at a nomination centre. There, you really feel the election fever and see people gathering with various party flags. You also get to see the contesting candidates and may even get to shake their hands and pose with them.
While photographers take care of the pictures, reporters have to open their eyes wide and keep their ears open for interesting stories and headline news.
Meanwhile, editors in the office have to correct and edit the reports submitted by reporters to ensure they are fit for publication. They also have to correct the grammar and spelling mistakes and choose the appropriate photographs to go with the stories.
The editors also have to work closely with desktop publishing artists to ensure the page designs are pleasing and attractive to look at and that the newspapers will sell.
It’s all about teamwork as the newspapers race against time to produce their best post Nomination Day issues.
When working hard, I believe no one should go hungry or thirsty. Indeed, working on an empty stomach may affect our performance.
Yesterday, after a good early lunch at my neighhourhood food court, I bought some curry sauce to go with a loaf of bread I grabbed from a nearby supermarket.
As I worked, I constantly munched on pieces of bread dipped in curry sauce. The hot sauce also kept me awake in the air-conditioned room.
I am lucky to work in a newspaper office with a well-equipped pantry. We have a microwave oven, hot and cold water, refrigerator and even a sandwich maker. All we have to do is buy our own three-in-one coffee, tea bags, bread and ingredients for making a sandwich.
With the availability of a microwave oven and hot water, some of us even cook our own instant noodles in cups or mugs.
Those of us who bring our own food from home can also reheat it in the microwave oven. Warm food is, after all, more pleasant to eat.
Yesterday, there were constant trips to the pantry by almost everyone in the office. Although we were busy, we had to eat, drink and take a break now and then.
So, if you are reading New Sarawak Tribune today, do spare a thought for my colleagues and I. We worked very hard yesterday to bring you the latest and best news on nomination for the 15th general election.
Read the news with love and care. It may take you just a few minutes to browse through the news but remember it took us one whole day to produce the newspaper.
Although political parties began campaigning in earnest only yesterday, frankly speaking, the stress has long begun for many of the reporters, photographers and editors covering the 15th general election news.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
