IPOH: Former Star Media Group’s (SMG) sports desk journalist Peter Chan How Meng passes away on Thursday (March 6).
Chan, 75, started his career with the company in 1994, retired in 2004 as a special-grade journalist, and worked on a contract basis until 2006.
Chan died of a brain haemorrhage at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
He was attached to the Ipoh bureau throughout his career with The Star.
Chan was known to be a very friendly, helpful and caring person.
He would go out of his way to help anyone, especially his colleagues.
StarMetro editor VP Sujata, who worked at the Ipoh bureau before, said Chan was a dedicated sports reporter for The Star for many years. She said he was good at his work and had all the required contacts.
“Even after retirement, we could get his help with contacts for stories pertaining to sports. Of course he also provided tip-off if anything was going on in Ipoh as well as in Kampar - his hometown and where he resides.
“He travelled from Kampar daily for work. Personally, he was a kindhearted person who offered help whenever he could,” she said, adding that she would miss his daily "good morning" WhatsApp messages and the occasional phone calls.
Another former colleague L.Y Ho said Chan was a very helpful person.
“He would never say no if anyone required help.
“He used to get along with everyone, and even after retirement, he stayed in touch with his colleagues,” she added.
Chan’s oldest daughter, Melisa Chan, 48, who lives in New Zealand, said her father loved his job as a sports journalist.
She said he especially had an interest in writing stories pertaining to football.
“Being an ardent fan of Manchester United, my dad had a great passion for football.
“Throughout his career, he made many friends,” she said.
He leaves behind his wife, Lee Oi Wan, 74 and another daughter, Melinda Chan,44.
The wake and funeral are expected to be held at Chan’s hometown in Kampar.
