BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

The important and useful role played by Khalidah Adibah bin Amin, or familiarly known to Malaysians as Adibah Amin, is etched in the memory of many of us, especially seniors, who looked forward to her twice-weekly column in the Straits Times in the 70s.

Adibah is a renowned journalist, educator, translator and author who used to write the column “As I was passing” by Sri Delima, which was a pseudonym or pen name she used for nearly ten years and this was what, as a secondary schoolboy, I looked forward to reading.

Now 90 years of age, she is the first woman to be awarded the Tokoh Wartawan Negara or National Journalist Laureate in 2024, S.E.A. Write Award in 1991 and the National Language Public Figure or Tokoh Pejuang Bahasa.

When Adibah was teaching, she played a significant role in language and linguistic development in Malaysia and was responsible for translating Malay novels into English which was her way of bridging the cultural gap.

In a fitting tribute to this great Malaysian personality, her former colleagues, fans and admirers organised ‘Malam Legasi Adibah’ on April 12, 2026 to show their appreciation for a woman who charmed many hearts and minds in her lifetime.

But it is also sad to note Adibah is now ailing and bedridden, but being cared for by many well wishers who cherish her simple and easy and much practised style of writing. For those of you who want to assist Adibah, please contact TabungKasih@HAWANA.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE