Goodbye, Zubir
I believe CY Leow and Romy will be equally depressed as I on hearing this piece of lousy news. Their former collegue, and my friend, Star photojournalist Zubir Yahaya, passed on the same day Pak Pram did. Zubir was 54.
I first knew Zubir circa 1994~95. Those were the days of film photography and he once played around with my Nikon F90x and SB27, taking a few of my mugshots.
Zubir was then staying in my neighbourhood in Subang Jaya. After work, he used to walk from Subang Parade to hiis home in SS19, Subang Jaya. Those days of brisk walk had probably helped him to maintain a slim build.
We struck a harmonious chord as we both speak the unmistakable Malay with the Kedah slang. Through small chats, I came to know that he was raised in Limbong Kapal, Alor Star. After the first acquaintance, he would never stinge on his Kedahan greetings whenever he spotted me in a crowd, even from afar.
Those who knew Zubir would remember him as a man who spoke his mind, and he would, at times, burst into his personal philosophy to interject his news subject's conversation while the interview was going on. His unrestrained mannerism often took his journalist colleagues and the interviewees by surprise. I saw it several times. He really didn't have few kind words for both the establishment and the Opposition.
Not a celebrity photojournalist, Zubir did have his wry sense of humour. In 1999, both of us covered an official function at the Petaling Land Office -- he for Star Metro, and I for my community website, www.USJ.com.my. While waiting for a post-function pressie, he strayed elsewhere and spotted the ballotboxe, supplied by the Elections Commission, that were stashed away in one corner of the building.
He contrast the ballotbox with the jarring door at the foreground, giving it a peeping-tom effect. The picture went into the front-half page of The Star. And that heralded the first hint of the 1999 General Election that dented Dr Mahathir's legacy, and Barisan Nasional's poll records, in the aftermath of Reformasi.
I last I heard of the man was in March, when Romy recounted to me that Zubir collapsed while he was on assignment recently. I remember Zubir did tell me that he was fighting diabetes. He ate liittle, and he would have a teh kosong whenever I offered him a drink.
I was still overseas when Zubir passed on. We are going to miss him for his political observation and camaraderie. May Allah bestow upon His graciousness.
My deepest condolences to Kak Faridah and her family members. Goodbye my friend. Al-Fatihah.
Comments
Bugger... I knew Zubir when he was a Cadet Photographer of The Star in Alor Star,early 70s! I was the Photo Editor then... I remembered fondly the time I was doing my tour of duty there and Zubir never fail to welcome me with open arms... thank you Zubir! We met again when I was with The Star again in 1997, he did not changed a bit! Still made me laugh... you will be missed my friend!
My deepest condolences to Kak Faridah and her family members. Goodbye my friend. Al-Fatihah.
Posted by: cyleow![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 2, 2006 08:56 AM
Al-Fatihah...
Posted by: bmart333![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 2, 2006 02:25 PM