Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin described the Eminent Malay Award accorded to him in conjunction with the Umno 64th anniversary last night as a recognition to his contribution to journalism and politics.

zainuddin maidin Speaking to reporters after receiving the award, he said Umno leadership had given meaning to his life as it had enabled him to achieve glory which he had not dreamed of.

"By the grace of God, I scaled the heights of what I had not sought after from my early beginning as a journalist. I never expected to become a chief editor, then to become a senator.

"Then Dr Mahathir (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) appointed me as a parliamentary secretary, deputy minister before Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) appointed me as a full minister," said Zainuddin, 71, who boasted about 40 years experience in journalism.

NONE Zainuddin, 71, who left Utusan Melayu Group as group chief editor, said he was commissioned by Utusan Melayu to write its history in 18 months.

He is also currently a fellow at the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Institute at Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Zainuddin, who was born in Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah holds a diploma in journalism from a journalism institute in Germany and attended a fellowship at the University of Michigan, and has several books to his credit.

- Bernama