KUALA LUMPUR: Former and serving journalists from the New Straits Times and others paid heartfelt tribute to their former colleague and journalist Jason Gerald John who was killed in a traffic accident in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, early this morning.
He is remembered mostly for his humility and kindness.
In a line that sums up Jason, journalist Hariz Mohd said his former supervisor never bossed anyone around and treated those under him as his equals.
“Jason always treated journos under his supervision as colleagues and friends.
“He never made us feel like he was the boss.
“He always smiled and was willing to go out of his way to teach rookies like me.
“He also humoured us by laughing at our stupid jokes,” said the former NST journalist.
Another former NST journalist, Danutcha Catriona Singh, said she was a cub reporter when she was sent to work with Jason in Melaka.
“I remember following him to assignments as he introduced me to his contacts.
“He had a friend at every corner.”
NST Journalist Arman Ahmad described Jason as an excellent journalist and a staff correspondent.
“Beyond his professional work, people will remember his kindness, gentle demeanour and willingness to help others.
“Jason was truly a good person who made the world around him a slightly better place.”
Former NST journalist Minderjeet Kaur said Jason was a kind and loving person.
“He was always helpful and rarely said ‘no’ to his colleagues when they needed help,” she added.
The Star journalist Martin Carvalho who had served at the newspaper’s Melaka bureau described Jason as a “friendly and humble guy who got on well with others”.
NST specialist writer Syed Umar Ariff said Jason was one of the “cool seniors” he was fortunate enough to call friend.
“He was calm even during unfavourable situations and not one who would speak ill of others.
“It goes without saying that Jason would always lend a helping hand or go the extra mile to help colleagues and friends in need.
“News of his sudden death left me staring at a blank space, wondering if I could have done more for him.
“My deepest condolences to his family. May Jason’s soul rest in peace.”
Former NST group editor Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun said Jason, who started as a journalist under his supervision, was a man of few words.
“He knew how to get his job done and that to him was important. He kept things to himself although I could sense that he was not well.”