Page 6, Sunday Star
Reading this piece of news of MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting made a surprised visit to Machap made me realized that I am still not ready, experienced enough and maybe even not cut to write national news yet. If not mistaken, this should be my third attempt writing something more serious than usual news, news that are related to the big guys or has a little crime gene or more serious than the usual news I handled.
The only paragraphs and sentences that I could recognized from the final version of the story are (also with minor / some editing) :
Ong said he was satisfied with the job done on the road kerb built along Lorong Eight in Machap Baru.
The kerb is to stop mud and water from flowing into houses below it – a common occurrence during heavy downpours, he said.
Villager Chen Yen Choo, 54, said she was deeply touched by Ong’s visit.
“I am surprised by his visit although I did hear some talk about him coming down. By doing this, he has shown he hasn’t forgotten us,” said the housewife from Machap Baru.
Housewife Tan Hooi Lian, 43, said that before the kerb was built, it was frightening whenever there was a thunderstorm.
“I am relieved now as mud and water will no longer flow into our homes,” she added.
Ong pledged to help the family by allocating funds from his ministry’s Urban Poverty Scheme to pay their house rent of RM70 per month and also schoolbus fees of RM30 per month for each of the two younger children.
The family will also be given RM200 per child annually for the new school year.
Ong also took his time to visit SJK (C) Machap Umboo, where RM70,000 had been allocated to replace an old wire fence with a brick wall. He also visited the yet-to-be completed Machap Umboo multipurpose hall. (Not edited.)
“I am glad that construction is going on as planned and on schedule. Hopefully, by September, the multi-purpose hall will be completed and the villagers can use it for various events and activities,” he said. (Not edited.)
Villagers also had the chance to have tea with Ong at Machap Umboo, where they discussed topics regarding their village.
They thanked the minister for his dedicated service and passion for the people of Machap.
“He’s very friendly and down to earth. Most importantly, he is willing to listen to us and help us work things out,” said Kong Kun Hin, 67. (Not edited.)
Hey! After quoting the story, it wasn’t that bad after all. At least there were 1… 2… 3… 12… 13… 13 sentences that were minor-ly edited and retained! I remembered there was zero (Yes, zero. Kosong. ?.) for the first attempt and one (Yes, one. Satu. ?.) for the second attempt. That’s a lot of improvement actually. Ha! Nonetheless, a lot of work need to be done to improve myself.
Why this piece of news is important and meaningful to me?
1) It was a story on the No. 1 man in MCA, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, whom I had to follow for the whole day (12pm until 6pm).
2) The news is heavily came from and watched out for by the No. 2 man in the editorial desk (Deputy Chief Group Editor).
3) I did it all alone, without any guidance or my editor watching my back / covering my ass.
4) It was the most serious story that I have covered so far, with pressures from everywhere and everyone.
5) I wrote and submitted the story on the day itself, and was published the next day.
6) It’s in page 6 of the national paper!
7) Private. Ask me on YM / MSN. Ha!
I wonder when is the day I will see my name on the front page, even if its with other people like “By Marsha Tan / Lee Yuk Peng / Somebody and Jason Lioh”.
Related posts:
May 8th, 2007 01:01
7 no need to ask, can agak liao… hahahha
May 8th, 2007 08:29
Im sure you can get there in no time
May 8th, 2007 09:20
Bravo brother…yeah you can do it. It still sounds like a political subject to me…ekkkekeke
May 8th, 2007 10:10
You mean you don’t have your own byline yet?
It’s understandable that newspapers have limited space to .. er.. put words.. and insert more stories.
But..
No byline even on the internet ar??!!
May 8th, 2007 10:39
Hey dude…I know you can do it…aja aja piating(gambateh in korean)..:)
May 8th, 2007 10:54
i didnt know writing for the paper is like thath….. interesting…
May 8th, 2007 10:54
Can one la …..
Jia yu Jia Yu !
May 8th, 2007 11:13
well done!
May 8th, 2007 12:13
You’ve done a good job I reckon. I feel that a news piece should always be concise and brief. Right?
May 8th, 2007 13:11
Hao : Sure or not? Don’t want to double check with me?
Simmy : Hopefully.
Adeline : It’s not really political news lah! It involves political person only. :P
Deng : Not putting by line is a form of protecting the writer / reporter actually.
Seong Yee : Thank you!
Jason Phoon : It’s very interesting actually, on the story and behind the story. There are too many things going on at the same time.
Ellone : Heh! Hopefully.
Yan : Thanks!
Hinching : Yes. ;)
May 8th, 2007 13:21
That was quick of you fixing the layout. Thanks & congratulations on your piece.
May 8th, 2007 15:51
election is near, tat’s y mr.*ng is b*tching around.
May 8th, 2007 17:30
Congrats! Haha, my stories also kena butchered like hell before…so no worries :) 6th page on the national paper, not bad huh…Gambateh :)
Btw, (I know this is kinda late, but) nice template! :)
May 9th, 2007 03:00
congrats! that’s cool! :)
May 9th, 2007 04:20
Hi, Jason, Thx for dropping by to say hi!
That’s news of my kampung you are covering….
You are getting there….:-)
May 10th, 2007 09:14
By endroo G
The day will come soon. Maybe you should report on something else to gain experience before getting your hands on these political centric news.
Btw, come to my hometown and do a coverage lah. I take you eat good food. Haha.
May 10th, 2007 19:32
Hoho… congrats on ur improvement!
Ganbatte!!
May 10th, 2007 20:15
Giovoni : Heh! Of course I did try to fix it asap for the sake of my readers. Thanks!
Sean : Hehe! Election is near, but not that near actually.
Chloe : Haha! I guess every journalist will just have to go through that stage, getting butchered like hell. Hehe! Glad that you like the new template!
LcF : Your job is even cooler. ;)
Ms Chong : You are from Machap? Haha! Thanks for the encouragement.
Endroo G : I am fine with human touch stories, but am not really good with politics and current news yet. My focus is usually on lifestyles. By the way, where’s your hometown?
婷婷 : Thank you very much!
May 22nd, 2007 04:39
why are u even surprised that your article required THAT much editing? in my opinion, you might as well have gotten someone else to write it completely.i do know of better writers that would definitely be able to help you out, with a small fee of course. toppin the list would be
1) angel (my dog)
2) leia ( my cat)
and finally.. yes.. i do believe that mr. BIG GIGANTIC cockroach-in-the-mamak-stall (RIP) would have been happy to help take over your obviously important role and task of writing for the star . should you need their contacts, just look up to the sky, placing your palms together in prayer.. and well.. what else.. pray. trust me. ud need it.
May 22nd, 2007 04:41
Nurelle : It’s still better than you who don’t even get to write for the papers. :) And by the way, if you think by throwing all these hurtful and/or sarcastic remarks will make you feel better or more superior than me, please go ahead.
May 22nd, 2007 04:48
nurelle! still no blorg URL ah? boring leh want to read what you can write.
or u guest blog here lahhhhhhhhhhh write in comments so long cannot embed images boring wan lehhhh