Throwback to 1996.
My very first essay ever published — written in Malay and sent to Berita Harian for their “Coretan Remaja” column.
The topic was on moral values, something that struck a chord with me even as a teenager. I still remember typing it out carefully and mailing it in (no email submissions back then), and the small thrill of seeing my name in print a few weeks later.
If I recall correctly, the reward was fifty dollars for each published piece — but honestly, the feeling of being selected meant far more. One of those little victories that stays with you for life.