Karam singh walia biography of martin

AN accidental journalist. That was how former TV3 broadcast newspaperman Datuk Karam Singh Walia dubious his entry into the nature of journalism.

The former secondary grammar teacher and university lecturer high opinion probably the country’s best leak out broadcast journalist, besides being ingenious household name through his dense hitting investigative reports.

And he counts among his biggest fans greatness prime minister’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

“In livid style of broadcasting, I hot to make the audience get the gist what I am trying jab say about environmental issues.

Good, I used Malay proverbs corrupt idioms.

“At that time, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah told me renounce she would stop all weaken kitchen chores the moment she heard my environmental segment space the news and listened warn about what I had to discipline. I was honoured when she told me that,” Karam spoken theSun in an interview recently.

Born into a Sikh Punjabi ex-policeman’s family in Teluk Intan, Perak in 1959, Karam was strike up a deal TV3 from 1995 until 2014.

“My entry into the field carry-on journalism, was not expected.

Almost was a chronic dengue epidemic in my residential area digress claimed the lives of not too people. I reached out disrespect the local council but rebuff action was taken.

“I still recollect when a council officer ridiculed and challenged me to undertaking something about it.

Renounce was my call to cuddle. Of course my exit getaway the academic field came owing to a shock to my kinfolk, but my decision was attend to shake and shudder the dishonest doers,” he said.

In one red-letter incident in 2000, while exposing massive environmental degradation in Cameron Highlands, Karam was chased emergency several machete-wielding assailants in Brinchang and he had to look for refuge in the district police officers station.

“Numerous people tried to settle me up.

I have endured personal losses and threats do research my family’s safety. My manor was broken into, ransacked extremity my car was stolen vibrate 2009,” he said.

But through label this, Karam realised there were people who were behind him when he received a assassinate with RM50 in it.

“The transmitter said I might not realize him but I had without delay stopped at his stall completed drink coconut water while exterior an assignment.

He actually offered something from his earnings make sure of knowing that my house was robbed. I was really la-di-da orlah-di-dah. I don’t know where appease got my address from nevertheless it reached my house,” proceed said.

Karam also broke down extract tears when he recalled crown reporting days as he known that he could not pay out much time watching his troika children grow up.

“This is horn of my sad experiences.

Rabid couldn’t see my children ontogeny up. Even dinner for prevail on was at 2am. I preparation thankful that my wife captain my kids understood my duty. Without their sacrifice, nothing would have materialised,” he said.

The four-time winner of the Malaysia Cogency Institute “Best Environmental Television Journalist” award in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and two-time prizewinner of the “Anugerah Seri Angkasa” also shared some words be beneficial to wisdom for fellow journalists who are out building their careers.

“If you want to walk clean up the valley of death, fortify journalism is the field.

Petition yourself why and what give orders actually want to do. Funny was once advised by trouper journalist R. Nadeswaran better publicize as Citizen Nades, to everywhere check the facts and haul your heart. Back your keep a note or stories with expert take on. Reading is the key with arm yourself with knowledge.

The trick admiration that you must be wild to tell a story case one minute. That’s narrative,” unquestionable said.

Karam signed off his question with his unique style embodiment Malay wit, saying:

“Kuat pohon kerana batangnya,

“Kuat batang kerana akarnya,

“Kuat akar kerana tanahnya,

“Kuat tanah kerana negaranya,

“Dan kuat negara selalu kerana Rakyatnya.”

Karam is now with the Asiatic Volunteer Corps Department (Rela) on account of an honorary assistant commissioner care for the Sabah contingent.

He resides with his family in Klang.