By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, June 9: Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said that the passing of veteran journalist, Jimmy Adit, was a personal loss as he was like a brother.
The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan related how shocked he was upon hearing the news of his sudden death as they had just conversed two days prior.
“We were very close since our school days (I was in Form 5 and he was in Form 1 in 1969 at the then Serian Secondary School).
“He was like a brother to me. I have lost a very good friend. He was a very friendly, down-to-earth person. He is a great fan of Elvis Presley. He will be dearly missed. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family,” Riot told DayakDaily today.
New Sarawak Tribune executive editor M Rajah described Jimmy as “irreplaceable”.
He added that he had known Jimmy since the early 90s when they worked together in various media organisations starting with the Borneo Post, the Star, the Ant Daily and the New Sarawak Tribune.
“I still can’t accept or believe he’s gone; was praying it’s not true. I am stunned; can’t accept the reality, and am still trying to understand and comprehend.
“He was an awesome friend and a very dedicated colleague, very reliable and always dependable. His exemplary attitude towards work has left an indelible impression on us.
“One word to describe Jim is that he is irreplaceable,” said Rajah.
He also described Jimmy as an industrious and responsible colleague who would follow instructions to the dot.
“For him, work comes first. So his passing is really a big loss not only to the New Sarawak Tribune but also to the whole local journalist fraternity,” added Rajah.
For SUPP secretary-general, Datuk Sebastian Ting, he described Jimmy as a personal friend who would keep in touch through WhatsApp almost on a daily basis.
“Jimmy was a great loss to the Sarawak journalism fraternity. He was a warm, friendly and frank person. We WhatsApped each other almost every day, sending warm greetings and his own articles. Will surely miss Jimmy,” said Ting.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said he knew Jimmy since they were together in the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in the 1980s.
“I’m so sorry to hear the demise of Jimmy Adit. He is one of the best investigative journalists whose articles and thoughts were bitter at times to swallow but as a politician I tried not to miss.
“He was an old friend since my days in PBDS in 80s. May his soul rest in peace,” added Masing.—DayakDaily
