Siva, Forever in Our Hearts

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12, 2025: “Girl, if there’s nothing newsworthy, you can go home now.”

It was nearly 9pm. I had spent the whole afternoon poring over dry, technical papers while Siva watched in silence. Only later did I realise — he was teaching resilience, patience, and the discipline every journalist needs. That quiet nod to go home felt like a small victory, one I still remember.

Siva, his full name S. Sivaselvam never raised his voice – at least not with me. He guided with calm firmness — shaping my questions, sharpening my intros, polishing my copy. He pushed without scolding, and celebrated quietly when my work was good. When my exclusive finally made the papers, his early congratulations meant everything.

“A good man and a great journalist. Gone but never forgotten,” Govind said — and it’s true.

Siva, 77, passed away at 3am today, a month after being diagnosed with Stage 4 inoperable stomach cancer. He spent his final days in the comfort of home under hospice care, choosing peace over chemotherapy.

A steady hand, a gentle mentor — his lessons will echo long after his voice has fallen silent.

Meanwhile, tributes kept pouring in. Among them from ex Bernama journalist, P. Parameswaran:

“So sad to hear about Siva’s passing. He’ll be deeply missed. Looking back at the Bernama newsroom he led then, in the late 1970s, Siva was a firm but fair boss who set high standards. Yet he was always ready to lend a steady, guiding hand when we were stuck on an intro or struggling to find the perfect angle for a story.

He had a remarkable knack for mentoring young reporters, steering us through early newsroom challenges and reminding us to keep his editorial tips at the back of our heads. And if we turned to him again with the same questions, Siva would raise his voice just enough for the entire newsdesk to hear — a momentary embarrassment that ensured the lesson stayed with us.

Siva’s editing skills were legendary - thanks his sharp eye and instinct for clean, compelling copy. In fact, when his trademark initial — a bold, unmistakable “S” — appeared on an edited story, the subs desk would give it just a cursory glance before slipping the physical copy into the traditional boxes for the teleprinter operators to dispatch the stories to clients.

His edits carried quiet authority — everyone trusted his judgment. I still recall some of the crisp, catchy intros he suggested that instantly lifted my stories. At times, he would rewrite our copy so thoroughly that we could barely recognize our own work — but his versions always read better, infused with clarity, rhythm, and impact. Each rewrite was a masterclass in good journalism.

Beyond his editorial sharpness, Siva was a deeply caring mentor. He took a genuine interest in our personal lives too, often checking in, offering quiet encouragement. Siva helped lay the bedrock of discipline and editorial integrity that shaped many of our careers. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed — as a mentor, colleague, and friend who helped many of us find our journalistic voice."