Karam Singh: A Father Figure Who Left Deep Impression On Media, Sports

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- The passing of veteran broadcast journalist Datuk Karam Singh Walia is not only a big loss to the world of journalism, but he is also remembered as a firm and kind-hearted sports educator.

Selangor women's hockey head coach Ikmal Abdul Jabar said Karam Singh was the hockey coach at Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang in 1994 and 1995, helping forge an outstanding team that went on to emerge as Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) champions in 1994 in Kelantan, besides finishing third in the 1995 edition in Negeri Sembilan.

"He was very firm and bold, and always wanted to win. For us, he was a father figure who taught us to be strong and brave,” he told Bernama after paying his last respects to Karam Singh in Klang, Selangor.

Ikmal, who has been coaching the Selangor women's team since 2017, said the values of leadership and discipline that Karam Singh instilled in him continue to guide his career as a coach, including in his preparation of the women's team for the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) to be held in Selangor in August.

The remains of Karam Singh were laid to rest at the Simpang Lima Crematorium in Klang at about 4 pm today.

The passing of Karam Singh, 67, at 3.30 am today at his residence in Klang, was confirmed by his younger brother, Jasbant Singh, who is also Group Managing Editor (GME) of News and Current Affairs at Media Prima Berhad.

Born in 1959 in Teluk Intan to a Punjabi Sikh family with a background in the police force, Karam Singh began his career as a broadcast journalist with TV3 in 1995 before retiring in 2014 due to health issues.

He was widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential environmental journalists, having won the Seri Angkasa Award twice as well as the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Award for Best Environmental Television Journalist for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007.

He was also among the media practitioners who received assistance under the Tabung Kasih @HAWANA initiative in June 2024.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of National Unity R. Yuneswaran also extended his condolences to Karam Singh's family, describing him as not merely a news presenter, but a figure close to the hearts of the community through his own unique style of presentation.

"His delivery style made every report not just a news report but an experience that had a profound impact on viewers,” he said.

-- BERNAMA