Bernama chairman suggests Jalan 1/65A to be renamed to Jalan Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang has suggested that the existing road of Jalan 1/65A leading to the agency's headquarters to be renamed to Jalan Bernama.
He hoped that the suggestion would be weighed in and agreed upon by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) considering that the Wisma Bernama building had become the landmark at one of the stretches off Jalan Tun Razak for a long time.
The chairman said Wisma Bernama was the first building erected in the area and occupied in 1984, long before other buildings nearby such as the National Library of Malaysia, National Visual Arts Gallery, National Blood Centre and the Istana Budaya.
“For a long time, the stretch where Wisma Bernama is located, namely (Jalan) 1/65A is not significant at all. Therefore, I suggest that the name of Jalan 1/65A to be renamed to Jalan Bernama.
“We will make formal application on the matter to DBKL. If it is approved, InsyaAllah (God willing) it will be the most meaningful and a priceless gift to the entire Bernama family of the past and present, and it will be remembered forever,” he said in his speech at the agency’s Golden Jubilee dinner at Dewan Perdana Felda today.
Bernama was established under the Parliament Act on April 6, 1967 and was officially launched on Aug 30, 1967 in conjunction with Malaysia’s 10th Independence celebration.
The agency became fully operational on May 20, 1968 with the distribution of the first news on the launch of Bernama news service by the then Information and Broadcasting Minister Tan Sri Senu Abdul Rahman.
Azman said over the past half century, the news organisation had never stopped producing accurate and timely news reports to all the people in the country.
“This is done without a break or leave (and) under any circumstances. Even when the country's electricity provider Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) experienced power supply disruptions in the 1990s, including what was called the ‘Peninsula-wide Blackout' which had paralysed almost the entire Peninsular Malaysia, Bernama was still operating at that time using emergency back-up generators.
“In fact, more events and news had to be reported on the implications due to the extensive power cut, particularly the effects on the national economy,” he said.
Azman also expressed his appreciation to all Bernama staff for their service and contributions in various fields.
He also thanked to all sponsors for their contributions and overwhelming response to ensure the success of the celebration tonight.
About 300 Bernama former and present staff as well as the agency's loyal clients were feted at the dinner. — Bernama