Farewell Karam Singh Walia, the relentless voice of truth

 In an age where noise often drowns out truth, he stood as a reminder of what journalism is meant to be: honest, fearless, and purposeful.

From Ashraf Abdullah

There are journalists, and then there are the rare few who become institutions in their own right.

Karam Singh Walia belonged firmly to the latter group.

Sadly, he passed away this morning at 3.30am, after a long and difficult battle with liver cancer.

With him goes not just a man, but a voice – firm, fearless, and unwavering – that once echoed across Malaysia’s living rooms and, more importantly, through its conscience.

A 1997 handwritten script by Karam Singh Walia, still in the safe hands of Ahmad Kamaludin Zaba’ai, former head of Media Prima Bhd’s magazine and documentary division.

I first met Karam in the 1990s. He was with TV3, I was with the New Straits Times. We were both young reporters then – idealistic, driven, and still learning the ropes of a profession that would define our lives.

Even in those early days, Karam stood out. There was a certain intensity about him, a seriousness of purpose that told you this was not a man who saw journalism as just a job.

Years later, when I joined TV3 as group editor, our acquaintance turned into friendship. It was then that I truly came to understand the depth of his character.

Behind the familiar face on television was a man of conviction – stubborn, if you like, but stubborn in the service of truth.

Karam’s journey into journalism was anything but ordinary.

Born in 1959 in Teluk Intan, Perak, he began his career as a secondary school teacher before answering a deeper calling” to report, to question, and to hold power to account.

Karam was not just a broadcast journalist. He was a crusader.

For nearly two decades with TV3, from 1995 until his optional retirement in 2014, he was one of Malaysia’s most recognisable and respected environmental journalists.

His reports on environmental degradation, polluted waterways and irresponsible industrial practices were not just stories – they were warnings, and often, a call to action. His frequent investigative reporting and exposés kept the authorities and the perpetrators on their toes.

He believed in telling the truth. Not the convenient truth or the watered-down version that keeps everyone comfortable, but the raw, sometimes uncomfortable truth – no matter the consequences.

He went after factories that poisoned rivers. He exposed companies that treated the environment as expendable. He gave a voice to communities whose concerns would otherwise have gone unheard. And he did so with a courage that many of us admired, and few could replicate.

Karam had his own unmistakable style. His use of pantun and proverbs in his reporting made his stories memorable, even iconic. But behind that poetic delivery was a razor-sharp journalist who understood that storytelling was not just about facts – it was about impact.

His contributions did not go unrecognised. He was a multiple recipient of the Malaysia Press Institute awards, winning “Best Environmental Television Journalist” for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007, and was twice named “Best TV Journalist” at the Anugerah Seri Angkasa.

In recognition of his service and contributions, Karam was conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang, which carries the title “Dato’”, by the Sultan of Pahang – an honour befitting a man who dedicated his life to serving the public interest.

Yet, beyond the accolades, Karam was a friend.

He was the kind of colleague who would argue passionately in the newsroom, stand firm on matters of principle, and then share a quiet laugh over a cup of teh tarik as if nothing had happened. There was no pretense about him. What you saw was what you got.

He cared deeply about journalism – not as an industry, but as a calling. He was meticulous about his visuals and scripts, taking hours to edit them. This often incurred the wrath of editors, including me. But that was Karam.

Even in his later years, as illness began to take its toll, Karam remained true to his beliefs. He reminded younger journalists not to chase popularity, but to pursue purpose – to tell stories that matter, to speak for those who cannot, and to never compromise on truth.

Today, we mourn his passing. But more than that, we reflect on what he leaves behind.

In an age where noise often drowns out truth, Karam stood as a reminder of what journalism is meant to be: honest, fearless, and purposeful.

We may no longer hear his voice today, but the rivers he fought for, the communities he defended, and the truths he exposed will continue to speak for him.

For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him – not just as a journalist, but as a friend – the loss is deeply personal.

I was making plans with a few ex-Media Prima colleagues to visit Karam next week, but sadly it wasn’t to be. That saddens me to the core.

Farewell, Karam. You did your job. You told the truth. And you did it well.

Now rest, my dear friend. - FMT

 Ashraf Abdullah is a former group managing editor of Media Prima Bhd’s Television Networks.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.