By SYAMIMI HUSNA
AILING newsman Juary Mesa’s mind is never too far away from the pulse of the media. And he would like nothing more than to take another crack at it.
He makes no secret of his desire to again work for his former employer New Sarawak Tribune (NST) if fate were to be kind to him and he recovers.
The 69-year-old who served as Sports Editor not only suffers from a weak heart and high blood pressure but also partially paralysed.
Juary had to quit work and leave the world of journalism in 2021 after suffering a stroke.
“I started working at NST in 1999 as a sports editor and at that time the newspaper was known as the Sarawak Tribune. I was interested in the world of journalism and ventured into it when I was 38.
“Before working at NST, I gained experience at the Borneo Post newspaper in 1992 and then at the People’s Mirror newspaper in 1994 before serving at NST in 1999,” he told Suara Sarawak.
However, the single father of four said his life began to change after disaster struck.
Juary, who was 67 at the time, had to let go of his passion for newspaper editing when he suffered a stroke that left him paralysed in almost half his body.
“After suffering a stroke in May 2021, I had to stop working because my body could no longer function. My mind is still okay, but my body is not suitable for work.
“In my condition I cannot work on the computer with just one hand. My right hand and leg no longer work while the left side is still okay but I can’t walk fast and my movement is very limited.
“Fortunately I am left-handed, so I can do work or take care of myself using my left hand,” he said, adding that he now needs to get follow-up treatment in addition to getting medication at the nearest clinic every month.
According to Juary, who has been involved in the world of journalism for over 20 years, deep in his heart he wishes to return to the world of media, but due to his health concedes that may be wishful thinking.
“It’s true that I miss going to work, but I don’t want to think about it too much. I have to take care of my heart because it is too weak and I even walk very slowly and have to use a cane.
“The Department of Social Welfare (JKM) provides a monthly assistance of RM200 and several organisations of the Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching (Pewarta) also help.
“On Sept 14, I also received a donation from the National Journalists’ Day Secretariat (HAWANA) 2023. I appreciate the donation given and I am very grateful to them,” said Juary, who still reads the NST daily.
On the family front Juary said he and his late wife had two sons and two daughters.
He said, his first child is 44 and lives in Kuching, his second is a 43-year-old working in Peninsular Malaysia, his third is 32 and is categorised as disabled while his youngest child is 30-years-old.
“After suffering a stroke, I was looked after by my first and third child in Kuching. But life took another cruel twist when my third child was suddenly unable to walk in July this year.
“He now lives with me in Kampung Moyan Ledang, Asajaya and I have to support him because he can’t walk,” he said, adding that the cause of his third child’s illness is unknown.
According to Juary, he moved to Kampung Moyan Ledang in April this year and was able to build a place to live with the help of his friends.
Juary is also appreciative of the Chief Executive Officer of New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
“I am very grateful to Datuk Jeniri, better known as ‘cikgu’, for still being in touch with me and even helping to ease the burden of our family.
“Cikgu also promised that if I recovered, I could return to the company, but it is quite difficult to recover as things stand now,” he said.
Juary also said that his other media friends also helped him a lot, in addition to villagers who have not hesitated to extend their help by giving food and basic necessities, making it enough for him to live by.
“If given the chance to get back to health, of course I still want to continue editing news at the NST,” he said.
