SC, selamat bersemadi

Paling akhir kami berjumpa ialah ketika kami bersama-sama ke sidang media pelancaran SAPP Cawangan Putatan. Saya tidak ingat bulan berapa tetapi yang saya ingat ialah SC pergi dengan tergesa untuk mengejar penerbangan ke Kuching petang itu.
Kami sempat minum di Wisma Merdeka.Walaupun tidak selalu berjumpa tetapi setiap kali ada kesempatan, saya sentiasa meluangkan masa untuk bertemu dengan wartawan veteran ini.
Saya mengenal SC sebagai Tony Thien. "Itu bukan nama saya yang sebenar," katanya. Nama pena itu digunakan sewaktu menulis.Beliau memberitahu saya bahawa selain menulis untuk Malaysiakini, beliau juga menulis untuk akhbar Borneo Post di Kuching dan beberapa penerbitan lain di dalam dan luar negeri.
Sebenarnya saya agak kagum dengan SC, seorang wartawan yang memiliki segudang informasi.Tanyakan saja kepadanya mengenai situasi politik khususnya di Sarawak, beliau pasti punya jawapannya. Saya pernah membaca tulisannya di majalah Asiaweek satu ketika sebelum Asiaweek dihentikan penerbitannya.
Yang saya ingat SC seorang yang baik dan simpatik. Banyak memberi nasihat dan menunjukkan kepada saya beberapa peluang dalam bidang penulisan.Orang yang penuh pengalaman ini tidak pernah kedekut berkongsi pengalaman dengan orang lain.
Biasanya beliau yang lebih dulu bangun membayar makanan atau minuman, walaupun saya berniat untuk belanja.
Perkenalan saya dengan SC sebenarnya tidak lama. saya sering melihat seorang tua yang selalu hadir mengemukakan pertanyaan pada sidang media terutamanya pasca Mac 2008.
Beliau banyak menggalakkan saya menulis, malah pernah beberapa kali meminta saya menulis untuk Malaysiakini segala rakaman suka duka dunia sosiopolitik di negeri ini. Saya masih belum dapat menunaikan permintaan itu.
Tetapi sekarang SC sudah pergi. Seperti tergesa meninggalkan dunia yang hirukpikuk ini.Rupanya pertemuan kami sambil makan di Wisma Merdeka itu adalah pertemuan kami yang terakhir.
Hari ini saya agak terkejut apabila menerima berita itu ketika membaca blog http://akimomogun.blogspot.com/ dan akhbar online malaysiakini mengenai berita pemergiannya. Saya mengambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarganya dan kepada SC, selamat bersemadi.


dipetik dari blog http://akimomogun.blogspot.com/, malaysiakini.


Veteran journalist SC Chan, 61 passed away at Normah Medical Specialist Centre here early this morning after undergoing a heart surgery. The Borneo Post editor in chief, M Rajah when contacted described SC as a "Top Notch" journalist who would go all the way to compile the best report. SC wrote for many news organisations both International and local publication.
"We have been friend and colleague for a very long time, he will be missed dearly," Rajah told Sarawak Update.
Rajah said the remains would be brought to SC residence in Rainbow Drive (opposite Datuk Effendi Norwawi house) for his family and friend to pay last respect.Sabah and Sarawak journalist loss a friend
"I was really shocked and sad on hearing the news of his demise. SC Chan and many from that era are a rare breed today." said Toman Mamora, ex-group editor of an English daily, now a communication and media research consultant.
"We have been friends for more more than 30 years and we share a lot of common interest," he added.
SC Chan and I grew up in the old school of journalism, where the power of the word and the art of communicating the message were the hallmark of true-blue journalism, Toman explained.
On the field, on the desk, and sometimes off the beat, SC Chan had been a friendly motivator and source of information to me.
"Of course, we shared another passion: music. We jammed a lot together. SC, we’re gonna miss you a lot. Rest in peace," Toman concluded.
Malaysia National News Agency (BERNAMA) editorial adviser, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said SC had been a great journalist for Sarawak and one of the pioneers of modern day journalism in the state.
He could be described as an unsung hero, having written extensively and passionately about many significant developments especially in the political arena in Sarawak’s recent history.
"I’ve known him for about 40 years and although most of the time I’ve been in Kuala Lumpur we kept in touch regularly. The last time we met was when I had breakfast with him and Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi at a hotel in Kuching early this year. Condolences to his family," he said.
Kuching Division Journalist Association president, Alice Wee was shocked when the news was first broke out.
"He was optimistic of his operation, docs said he got 90% chance..anyway I am glad I met him at SPDP’s PC last Saturday and got to see him for the last time..may he rest in peace," Alice commented in FaceBook.
Bernama Miri Bureau Chief, Hamdan Ismail said he had lost a friend and a guru.
"Sarawak lost another humble person. I learn a lot from him as a journalist. Rest In Peace SC," he said.
Meanwhile, former New Straits Times news editor, Joseph Bingkasan said SC was among the first person he met when first appointed to the Kuching-based post in Nov 2000.
"It was this great man who created my networking with the rest of the Press in Sarawak and Brunei," he said.
He was the best of friends I had in Kuching during the four years tenure of duty in Sarawak. After I was transferred to Kuala Lumpur and finally retired in Kota Kinabalu, we had been in contact via email, SMS and telephone calls, JB added.
"My condolence to the family of the late Mr S C Chan who passed away this morning. SC, as the Press called him, you will forever be in my memory," he concluded.