Known as Adibah Amin, her nomination as the first woman to be named National Journalism Laureate was proposed by the Malaysian Women Journalists Association (Pertama).
The award was presented by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to her sister on behalf of Adibah, 88, who was unable to attend the event due to health reasons.
Renowned for her excellence in journalism and writing and for being an outstanding linguist, educator, and news presenter, she is the daughter of independence fighter Zainon Sulaiman or Ibu Zain.
Proficient in Malay and English, Adibah also authored three Malay novels using the pen name Seri Delima and produced over 200 radio dramas.
Adibah started her career as a journalist with the New Straits Times in 1971 and became the first woman to be appointed Berita Harian (BH) Editor (1983-1984) as well as a columnist for BH and The Star, and editorial advisor for Jelita magazine.
She had previously received the 2022 National Translation Personality Award, the SEA Write Award in 1983, the Esso-Gapena Prize for contribution to the development of literature (1991), and the Outstanding Journalist of the Country by the Malaysian Union of Journalists (1996).
In 1998, she was awarded the Tun Razak Prize for outstanding contribution to the development of education and the establishment of mutual understanding and harmony between the national communities of Malaysia.
In November 2006, Adibah published her first novel in English, “This End of The Rainbow”, and translated several literature articles, including “No Harvest But A Thorn” written by National Laurette Shahnon Ahmad.
She has also authored over 50 books, including those she edited and translated. Among them are “As I Was Passing” in 2006, “As I Was Passing II” (2007) and “Glimpses: Cameos of Malaysian Life” in (2008).
Meanwhile, Pertama deputy president Nasriah Darus described the recognition accorded to Adibah as an honour for women journalists in Malaysia.
She said the recognition reflected the capability and role of women journalists in the increasingly challenging and complex field of journalism.
“Women journalists are the backbone in reporting news, recording history and even as educators of communities. The greatness and abilities of women cannot be denied.
“We at Pertama greatly appreciate and thank the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) for this recognition (to Adibah) and hope that it serves as a catalyst for all women journalists to continue to strive in this field,” said Nasriah, who is also the Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (news service).