PM and media fraternity mourn for Pak Non

News of the passing of theSun’s consultant and political editor, Zainon Ahmad, 70, on Wednesday was received with heavy hearts, including from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and those in the press.

The following are among the words offered in remembrance of Zainon, or Pak Non, who was considered a father figure and mentor for many younger reporters, and a principled man in the media industry:

Takziah kepada keluarga Zainon Ahmad yang baru kembali ke Ramahtullah. Al-Fatihah . Moga Allah SWT memberkati rohnya, Amin.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) March 27, 2013

Takziah kpd keluarga wartawan & pengarang Zainon Ahmad, 70, ygmeninggal dunia petang ini akibat kanser hati pmomsia.my/YDQ8fi
— Msia PM Press Office (@PMOMalaysia) March 27, 2013

Zainon Ahmad - journalist, writer, editor, boss, friend, has just passsed away. Al-fatihah.
— Jahabar Sadiq (@jsadiq) March 27, 2013

AlFatihah Zainon Ahmad. In 1992 he advised me against joining the NST. Nice bloke.
— Amir Muhammad (@amirmu) March 27, 2013

“He was like a father figure. His laughter and all that...everybody came to him for counsel and advise. He was a very principled journalist and worth admiring. We owe so much to him." - Shoba Devan of theSun

“When I first met Zainon Ahmad, he greeted me in Tamil and told me not worry about a thing, being a rookie and all. Who would have known that would have been our last encounter. Rest in peace Pak Non :(” - Pathma Subramaniam of FZ.com

“Today's a sad day. The nation lost a great and highly respected journalist with ten thousand old war stories who always has a little smile quirking at the corners of his lips. Rest in peace Pak Non (Zainon Ahmad)” -Azril Annuar of FZ.com

Somehow can’t help thinking of other journos when I think of Pak Non. Here’s a man respected, loved, for trying to bring Msians together.
— Koh Lay Chin (@laychkoh) March 27, 2013

Al-Fatihah Pak Non. Speaking to veteran journos when you're just starting out can be intimidating. He did not make me feel stupid or small.
— Aidila Razak(@aidilarazak) March 27, 2013

@vincentdepaul12 #Pak Non one of my most profound memories of him is at my wedding. He was sitting in the pews, singing along to the hymns!
— Terence Fernandez (@TerenceFnandez) March 27, 2013

RIP Pak Non. I will truly miss your wisdom,guidance and that infectious laugh. Thank you for everything.
— Hemananthani (@Hemananthani) March 27, 2013

“A bright light of Malaysian journalism has been extinguished. May Encik Zainon rest in peace. You have more than earned your rest. Farewell, old friend...I don't know about his positions in NST. But I know he is always in the forefront when it comes to press freedom and independence of journalists. He is our voice and conscience.” Chong Cheng Hai of Focus Malaysia.

Why does it have to be that a good journalist has passed on?I knew Zainon Ahmad when we were colleagues at New... fb.me/2oLQTdEiK
— Thuan Chye Kee (@ktchye) March 27, 2013