Former Bernama chairman Abdul Rahman Sulaiman laid to rest

KUALA LUMPUR: Former chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, who died at the age of 75 yesterday, was laid to rest at the Kampung Melaka Muslim cemetery, Batu 10 Jalan Hulu Langat near here today.

The hearse ferrying the Abdul Rahman arrived at the cemetery at 10.35 am after the funeral prayers led by his son, Saily Sulamazra, were performed at the General Operations Force's Al-Amin Mosque in Cheras earlier.

Bernama chairman Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, chief executive officer Datuk Mokhtar Hussain, former editor-in-chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab were among those who paid their last respects.

Also present were veteran journalist Datuk A Kadir Jasin and president of the Malaysian Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman.

Abdul Rahman died of a heart attack at the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Cheras, at about 4 pm yesterday. He leaves behind his wife Puan Sri Maznah Adam and three children.

Born in Parit Buntar, Perak, Abdul Rahman started his career as a journalist at Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) in 1966 before joining Bernama as a senior journalist in 1971.

Between 1971 and 1995, he had served as the Johor Bureau chief; correspondent for Thailand and Indo-China; chief sub-editor; chief news editor; executive editor of the General News Service; and editor-in-chief for Bernama.

Abdul Rahman opted for early retirement to contest in the 9th General Election in April 1995 as Barisan Nasional candidate for the Parit Buntar parliamentary constituency and won the seat.

He was appointed as the 10th chairman of Bernama from Feb 1, 2010, until Jan 31, 2014, before being reappointed to the post until Jan 31, 2016.

-- BERNAMA