Sarawak governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar tonight paid tribute to veteran journalist James Ritchie who died earlier today, describing him as a dear friend and exceptional individual.
In a Facebook post, Wan Junaidi said he was saddened by the untimely demise of Ritchie, whom he had been friends with since secondary school.
“He was a wonderful person, and I will always remember and cherish the memory of (Ritchie) as a friend.”
Wan Junaidi also revealed that he had served as an aide de camp to Ritchie’s father, John, who was commissioner of the Sarawak constabulary in 1968.
He was never treated as a mere officer of the force, but as a member of the family. “We continued to be friends until today,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said he was supposed to have a meeting on Monday with Ritchie, who was writing a book on him.
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said Ritchie was a steadfast presence in Sarawak’s media scene, who had left an indelible mark as an author of numerous books on indigenous life, culture, and historically significant topics.
State deputy minister Abdullah Saidol said Ritchie’s vast experience and illustrious career as a journalist and writer were truly remarkable.
Federal communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said that Ritchie was an inspiration to many reporters and had left a meaningful legacy. He described Ritchie’s death as a huge loss to the journalism fraternity.
Malaysian Press Institute president Yong Soo Heong said Ritchie’s immersive approach often extended beyond conventional reporting, delving into the historical, spiritual, and social fabric of Bornean life.
Ritchie, 75, died at the Sarawak General Hospital today. He had been writing a piece this morning about his family’s migration from Europe to Malaya and Sarawak.
Last year, he was conferred the national journalists’ day (Hawana) 2024 award in recognition of his decades-long contributions to the field.
