Kuala lumpur: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo highlighted that James Ritchie had been involved in journalism for over five decades and was instrumental in introducing the New Straits Times newspaper to Sarawak. "His services will always be remembered... his contribution to journalism was immense," she remarked during her visit to the residence of Ritchie's family.

The event was attended by notable figures including the 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. Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen and Telekom Malaysia (TM) One Sarawak general manager Mohd Zulkifli Ismuni were also present.

James' daughter, Rebekah Dawn Ba'o Ritchie, expressed pride in her father's achievements, which continue to be celebrated by his peers 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 noted.

James began his career in 1971 as a New Straits Times (NST) cadet journalist, later becoming an NST Sarawak journalist in 1981, a Public Relations Officer at the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department in 1998, and a Media Consultant with Sarawak Digest in 2022.

Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM is part of the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA initiative, which is supported through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding by TM to assist media practitioners in need. Since its inception in April 2023, 847 media practitioners nationwide have benefited from Tabung Kasih@HAWANA. Specifically, the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA X TM initiative, launched in June 2026, has aided 77 media practitioners across the country. The initiative is spearheaded by the Communications Ministry and implemented through Bernama.