Award-winning journalist James Ritchie to be laid to rest Tuesday
KUALA TERENGGANU: Award-winning journalist James Alexander Ritchie, who died of a heart attack at Sarawak General Hospital on Saturday, will be laid to rest on Tuesday morning.
His wife, Tan Lee Fong, said a funeral service will be held at St Thomas' Church here.
"Following the release of his body from the hospital, it will be taken to St Thomas' Multipurpose Hall B. Wake services are scheduled for 7pm today and tomorrow, with the funeral taking place on Tuesday morning," she told Bernama.
Tan said the doctor confirmed James died of a heart attack at 11.40am yesterday.
James, 75, is survived by his wife, daughter and granddaughter.
He began his journalism career as a cadet reporter with The Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 23 and rose through the ranks to become a leading journalist, particularly in Sarawak.
He covered major events and high-profile cases, including the Japanese Red Army's 1975 raid on the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the capture of notorious criminal Lai See Kiaw—known as the "Master of Disguise"—and gangster Wong Swee Chin, better known as Botak Chin.
Throughout his career, James held several key roles in journalism and media, including journalist with the New Straits Times in Sarawak in 1981, public relations officer at the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department in 1998, and media consultant for Sarawak Digest in 2022.
His outstanding contributions to journalism and writing earned him numerous accolades, including the Shell Kenyalang Gold Award, AZAM Press Award and Ang Lai Soon Gold Award.
In 2024, he was honoured with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Award. - BERNAMA
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