THE WAY WE WERE

Saturday the 15 was a day to remember. At least for most of us RTM pensioners. It was PVRTM's meeting at Hotel Singgahsana. Some 50+- 'diehard' members converged at the venue for the occation. They were in as early as 8.00 am. Most had surpassed 70, still strong and healthy. Ex RTM staff are known to be functual. Maybe because of our past daily routines, governed by strick work shedules and datelines. A habit we mostly preserved and practice till this day. That maked us ticks. That maked RTM ticks. Since its inception for the last 6 decades RTM never fails its obligations.

The PVRTM general meeting was smooth and cordial a reflection of true democracy in practice.

Looking back my 30 years service with RTM (1966 – 1996) I acknowledge that we were a great team. We were a bunch of true professional of our times. Each of us an effective team member and proactive team player irrespective of age, experience and position we held. As public servant we never ever failed our obligations to the country and the nation. A word of command from our bosses upstairs, an order to be executed fully. We communicate effectively and freely as a team. We worked on shared opinions and divide our responsibilities effectively. We were trustworthy lot. (Bukan nak masuk bakul angkat sendiri). Truly we were. We relied on each other to give our most. At time we were ‘Jack of All Trade’ within the contact of our professional skills. We were Producers, Script Writers, and Reporters/Anchor Person, DJs ect..whatever each could contribute to enhance team output. That makes us effective and RTM strong. Self critique and our willingness to accept criticism both from our bosses and our peers as well the public strengthened our determinations for continued success. No financial or self gain. We were proud for a job well executed.

Those were the way we were.

Most of the 65 – 75 years old attendees with us today are the remnants of the ‘Last Mohicans’ of RTM yesteryears. They formed the majority of this year’s GM Quorum. It was an honour to have Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail (former UMNO Wanita Chief), Tan Sri Ahmad Merican, Dato’Abdullah Mohammad ex Director General of Broadcasting. Again there was a strong present of Radio Malaysia stalwart among others Dato’ Aziz Singah, Fatimah Kamaruddin, Norazah Aziz, Zahurin Zakaria, Habsah Hassan, Norela Samad, Latifah Sidek, Maizatul Akmam Yahya, Datin Wan Rohani Zain, Lee Keng Seng - also the regulars and some ex office bearers make our gatherings more significant. Though this time we missed Tan Sri Dol Ramli ex RTM DG a strong supporter of PVRTM, Tan Sri SM Salim, Dato’Jaafar Kamin and some senior members, least to say the successes of PVRTM are attributed to the all time commitment from all its members.

We bade each other farewell after lunch with a prayer to meet again