KUCHING, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching today presented a Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM contribution to the family of the late James Alexander Ritchie.
James Ritchie, a recipient of the 2024 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Award, died on May 3, 2025 at the age of 75.
Teo said James Ritchie had been involved in journalism for more than five decades and was the first person to bring the name of the New Straits Times newspaper to Sarawak.
"His services will always be remembered... his contribution to journalism was immense," she told reporters after visiting the residence of the late James Ritchie’s family here today.
Also present were Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) of the Communications Ministry Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Also present were Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen and Telekom Malaysia (TM) One Sarawak general manager Mohd Zulkifli Ismuni.
Meanwhile, James’ daughter Rebekah Dawn Ba'o Ritchie said she was proud of her father's achievements, which continued to be remembered by his media colleagues in the journalism industry.
"My father had a deep interest in Sarawak and often wrote about the history of Sarawak to ensure that the local community did not forget its history," she said.
James' career began in 1971 as a New Straits Times (NST) cadet journalist, before serving as an NST Sarawak journalist in 1981, Public Relations Officer at the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department in 1998 and Media Consultant with Sarawak Digest in 2022.
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM is an initiative under Tabung Kasih@HAWANA through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding contributed by TM to expand assistance to media practitioners in need.
Since the allocation was first disbursed in June 2026, a total of 77 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from the initiative.
Overall, 847 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from Tabung Kasih@HAWANA since it was introduced in April 2023. The initiative, spearheaded by the Communications Ministry, is implemented through Bernama.
-- BERNAMA