My press life began ...

In July 1996, I started to work as the Senior Staff Writer and Columnist of the Chinese-language Sin Chew Jit Poh (now renamed as Sin Chew Daily), writing a weekly column, special reports, features and editorials on Malay/Islamic, Western and international affairs.

It was a totally new and very useful experience to me. I learnt many subtler and more nuanced things in life and politics. I am forever grateful to all those who taught me new skills and introduced me to new contacts in our complex society. Above all, I thank them for their trust.