Veteran sports writer Ronnie Oh breathes his last

GEORGE TOWN: Veteran sports journalist Ronnie Oh passed away this morning due to a lung infection. He was 67.

Oh - who retired in 2012 as a senior writer of the Star Media Group - breathed his last at 2.40am at his home in Island Park on Saturday (Sept 18).

His former colleague K.H.Ong, 67, said Oh was a rare breed of sports journalist who was very passionate about local and foreign football.

"For almost 30 years, we teamed up well covering sports in the northern states, from the 70s to the 90s. I will miss his cheekiness and laughter.

"He had helped states like Penang, Kedah and Perlis hire professional players in the early 1980s during the Malaysia semi-pro league," said Ong.

Former Star Media Group deputy chief photographer Chin Cheng Yeang, 53, said Oh was well-liked in the media fraternity because of his caring personality.

"He always took great care of his colleagues and other press members, be it during football coverage or other major sporting events.

"If he got results or information from the match officials, he would make sure nobody was left out.

"He was always thoughtful and attentive to small details," said Chin, adding that Oh would always arrive early for his assignments so that he could plan his stories well.

Star Media Group assistant news editor Tan Sin Chow said Oh was among the first who came to greet him when he was doing an internship in The Star in 2003.

"As a senior in the media line, he was down-to-earth, and willing to show the ropes to whoever shares the same passion," said Tan.

Oh leaves behind his wife, two children and a granddaughter.

His funeral wake is held at Leng How Koe funeral parlour in Paya Terubong, with the funeral procession to be held at 11am on Monday.