Can you tell me about your journalism career so far?

I started as a journalist at Malaysiakini, a small independent newsroom which operated at a time when the media environment in Malaysia was repressive. Press freedom was under assault. I spent almost the first seven years of my career in Malaysiakini before I went on to work for AFP and later on, Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Those opportunities gave me the chance to live in different places, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, and to travel on assignments across Asia. I joined CPJ three and a half years ago, I'm currently the Asia-Pacific Director at CPJ.

Why did you want to pursue journalism? What was the appeal?

I was always a curious and nosy kid. I was always interested in current affairs. I would read newspapers, I would take part in school competitions about current affairs.

Journalism is the best job that gives you a licence to ask anyone any questions. In my current job at CPJ however, we know journalists are facing increasing harassment and retaliation simply for asking questions.

What I appreciate about journalism is that everyone has a story to tell, regardless of your class, your background, or your wealth status. Some of the best interviews I have had are not with people in power, but with people on the street that you meet randomly.

What was the newsroom experience like for you starting out?

I started as a journalist in Malaysiakini, which is a non-traditional newsroom, so it's hard for me to give advice in that sense because Malaysiakini has a flat structure. There's not so much hierarchy in place.

From day one, even as a junior reporter, my editors would expect me to go out and cover assignments that include asking the Prime Minister questions that he doesn't want to hear. You are expected to do your job like anyone else, like any other senior reporters regardless of your years of experience.

I don't come from a rich family, so there's no connections per se that I can use. I'm always grateful for my editors and mentors, and I do believe that hard work will pay off eventually.

How has your ethnicity and background influenced your work?

It influenced me deeply. I grew up in a multicultural, multi-religious country, which is Malaysia.

My world is not black and white, it has always been very colourful. That shaped my worldview and my approach to work. There are a lot of nuances, and we can bring these nuances into the job that we do. It doesn't have to be binary.

As a Malaysian and an ethnic Chinese minority, I have always been surrounded by people with different views and perspectives. Navigating and managing these differences is part of life.

In an increasingly polarised world, I appreciate people who try to build bridges rather than divide us. My approach is to constantly try to find common ground to work together.

What it’s like being a Southeast Asian journalist?

This goes beyond the newsroom. Generally in our societies we have to confront structural and entrenched issues of biases and prejudices. This was made worse over the last few years because of the pandemic and the current geopolitics.

It can feel difficult sometimes because we have to deal with suspicions from people, or prejudices because of our appearances. Even if you have a seat at the table, sometimes you may not be heard.

We have to keep doing what we do, and be guided and grounded in the values that we believe in. Eventually we will prove the sceptics wrong.

I'm grateful that in my career so far, I have had colleagues, employers and managers who value my background and the diverse perspective that I bring to work, they see that as an asset rather than a problem.

What does it mean to be “impartial” and “unbiased” in today’s political era?

We can't change our background or where we come from, which shapes our worldview. What I strived to do when I was a journalist was to provide a platform even for people with whom I disagree, because their views should be heard too.

I think if you are biased on the side of values like equality, justice, and fairness, you are okay. I'm okay with that.

What advice did you wish you knew when you were starting out?

Don't be too harsh on yourself. We always struggle with the fact that we are not good enough. I know that it's a common challenge among people of colour, especially when you come from a background where you're not rich, you are an immigrant. You work hard, you keep your head down, don't speak until you have been spoken to.

If I can say anything to my younger self, I would just tell myself: ‘Don't be too harsh on yourself and know that what you are doing is good enough.’

Why is it important for people of colour to stay in the industry?

The short answer would be because it's proven diversity is good for business. We bring different perspectives, and in business, you have a lot of blind spots if you are just hearing from the same group of people.

In your line of work, you see reporters jailed and rising threats against press freedom. What brings you joy in the midst of this and how do you protect your energy?

Just really simple things. I work out, I run. I go for a walk in nature. Stay in touch with friends back home in Malaysia. Or cook for the family.