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The Sun
06-05-2025
- The Sun
Veteran journalist James Ritchie laid to rest today
KUCHING: The body of veteran Sarawak journalist James Alexander Ritchie, who died of a heart attack last Saturday, was laid to rest in a private cremation ceremony at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Siniawan near here, today. Prior to the burial ceremony, a prayer service for the deceased was held at St Thomas Church here which was attended by about 300 family members, close friends and journalists who had worked with him. The late James breathed his last at the age of 75 at the Sarawak General Hospital at about 11.40 am on Saturday and is survived by his wife, Tan Lee Fong, a daughter and a granddaughter. His passing leaves a void that is deeply felt, not only by his family and close friends, but also by the journalism community and the people of Sarawak. James was known for his profound works that touched on issues of culture, history and the struggles of the indigenous community, now becoming part of the history he himself had written. Starting his journalism career as a cadet reporter at The Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 23, the late veteran journalist continued to achieve success until he emerged as one of the leading journalists, especially in Sarawak. He had covered various major events and high-profile cases, including the Japanese Red Army raid on the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, the arrest of 'Master of Disguise' Lai See Kiaw and criminal Wong Swee Chin, also known as Botak Chin. Throughout his career, James held several important positions in journalism and media, including as a reporter at the New Straits Times in Sarawak in 1981, Public Relations Officer in the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department (1998) and Media Consultant for Sarawak Digest (2022). His excellence in journalism and writing earned him the National Journalist Day Award (HAWANA) last year, as well as the Shell Kenyalang Gold Award, the AZAM Press Award and the Ang Lai Soon Gold Award.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
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
Barnama
04-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
Veteran Journalist James Ritchie To Be Laid To Rest Tuesday
KUCHING, May 4 (Bernama) -- Award-winning journalist James Alexander Ritchie, who died of a heart attack at Sarawak General Hospital on Saturday, will be laid to rest this 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 7 pm today and tomorrow, with the funeral taking place on Tuesday morning," she told Bernama. Tan mentioned that the doctor confirmed James died of a heart attack at 11.40 am yesterday. James, 75, is survived by his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. Beginning his journalism career as a cadet reporter with The Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 23, James 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 American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the capture of notorious criminal Lai See Kiaw, known as the 'Master of Disguise,' and the gangster Wong Swee Chin, better known as Botak Chin. Throughout his career, James held several prominent roles in journalism and media, including serving as a 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 the Ang Lai Soon Gold Award.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Veteran journalist James Ritchie to be laid to rest Tuesday
KUCHING: Award-winning journalist James Alexander Ritchie, who died of a heart attack at Sarawak General Hospital on Saturday, will be laid to rest this 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 7 pm today and tomorrow, with the funeral taking place on Tuesday morning,' she told Bernama. Tan mentioned that the doctor confirmed James died of a heart attack at 11.40 am yesterday. James, 75, is survived by his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. Beginning his journalism career as a cadet reporter with The Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 23, James 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 American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the capture of notorious criminal Lai See Kiaw, known as the 'Master of Disguise,' and the gangster Wong Swee Chin, better known as Botak Chin. Throughout his career, James held several prominent roles in journalism and media, including serving as a 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 the Ang Lai Soon Gold Award. In 2024, he was honoured with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Award.
Free Malaysia Today
03-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Veteran Sarawak journalist James Ritchie dies at 75
The death of veteran journalist James Ritchie was confirmed by former state assembly speaker Robert Jacob Ridu, who is also a family member. (James Ritchie pic) KUCHING : Veteran journalist James Ritchie died at the Sarawak General Hospital today. He was 75. His death was confirmed by former Sarawak state assembly speaker Robert Jacob Ridu, who is also a family member. 'We are saddened to inform you that veteran journalist Mr James Ritchie, who is also family to me, has gone to be with the Lord. He passed away peacefully at SGH today. May his soul rest in eternal peace,' Ridu said in a short statement to the media here. Ritchie was conferred the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2024 award during celebrations held here last year in recognition of his decades-long contributions to the field. Starting as a cadet journalist at New Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 23, he slowly climbed the ladder in the journalism industry, particularly in Sarawak. Among the other positions he held were public relations officer at the Sarawak chief minister's department (1998) and media consultant for Sarawak Digest (2022). He was also a winner of the Shell Kenyalang Gold Award, the AZAM Press Award, and the Ang Lai Soon Gold Award.
