LONG before the age of smartphones and streaming, when Malaysians huddled around radios and later black-and-white television sets, one voice became a trusted companion in homes across the country – that of Yahya Long Chik.
A veteran broadcaster whose career began in the 1960s, Yahya was among the early faces and voices of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), helping to shape national consciousness during the formative decades of the nation’s history.
From the earliest days of Malaysian television, Yahya brought the news to the people with clarity, poise, and professionalism. His deep, steady, and resonant voice – booming yet composed—became a staple of the national 8pm Berita Perdana, where he delivered the day’s headlines in flawless Bahasa Malaysia.
Yahya was part of the generation that worked with limited technology, yet managed to uphold the highest standards of broadcast journalism. News scripts were typed manually, broadcasts were live, and errors were not an option.
From my early schooldays to my secondary years and into my young adult life, I remember hearing Yahya Long Chik’s voice—steady, calm, and unflinching – narrating the day’s events. He was more than a newscaster; he was a national presence, someone we trusted to bring us the truth with dignity and grace.
Former Blue Network broadcaster Soosai Anthonymuthu remembered Yahya fondly: “He wasn’t flamboyant, but he was a polished newscaster in his own way – having mastered the art of delivery without any hiccups when the technology compared to today was primitive.”
“Yahya belonged to a generation that had to rely on skill, discipline, and sheer presence to communicate with millions,” Anthonymuthu told the Scoop.
Yahya stood alongside some of the pioneers of Malaysian broadcasting, many of whom are now part of the nation’s media heritage.
Among them were the late Bosco D’Cruz, an exemplary English-language broadcaster known for his authoritative tone; the late E. Samson, one of the early voices of Radio Malaya; The late Ali Thambyrajah, a respected announcer in both radio and TV; and the late George Abraham, who brought gravitas to English bulletins; and John Machado, known for his measured, gentle style; Noornikman Dadameah, a key figure in Malay-language broadcasts; and Harjit Singh Hullon, whose distinctive voice and calm presence on RTM left a lasting mark on generations of viewers.
Each of these names contributed to the trust the Malaysian public placed in RTM as a national institution. Yahya Long Chik was an integral part of this founding generation, setting a standard that broadcasters strive to uphold to this day.
Though the newsroom environment has evolved with digital screens, AI scripts, and satellite feeds, the memory of Yahya’s disciplined voice lingers in the minds of those who grew up watching him.
He was a broadcaster in the truest sense—rooted in service to the public, undistracted by celebrity, and committed to the craft of clear and credible news delivery.
With Yahya Long Chik’s passing, we bid farewell to not just a man, but to an era. His voice may no longer grace our airwaves, but it continues to echo in the legacy he leaves behind—for his peers, for the nation, and for every Malaysian who once paused to listen.
May Allah grant him eternal peace. – May 28, 2025
Joseph Masilamany is a seasoned journalist and Scoop’s contributing writer