KUALA SELANGOR: Former New Straits Times' Business Times (BT) specialist writer Othman Abu Bakar died of lung cancer at the age of 58 today.
Othman, who served BT from 1988 to 1994, passed away at 8.15am at his home in Bandar Puncak Alam,here.
He leaves behind wife, Fadilah Jantan,48, and two daughters, Nur Liyana,19, and 17-year-old Nur Amani.
Othman, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in Feb, was buried at the Felda Bukit Cerakah Muslim cemetery after Zohor prayers at about 2.30pm.
Nur Liyana said her late father underwent a surgery to insert a titanium plate on his back two weeks ago and had to rely on a wheelchair to move around.
"It was the routine for me and my sister to clean him in the morning. He passed away when we were doing so," she said.
Close to 20 family and friends paid their last respects including Othman's former BT colleagues', prominent blogger Datuk Ahirudin Attan and former Media Prima Berhad executive director Datuk Ahmad A. Talib.
Ahirudin, also known as Rocky Bru, said he got to know Othman in the late 1980s.
"Othman was a former lecturer and when he joined BT, my colleagues and I showed him the ropes. He had no formal training in journalism but he was very passionate and remained a dedicated journalist until he died," said Ahirudin, adding that they also used to play football together.
Othman, he added, left business publication, The Edge, to care for his parents before he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Othman then joined news portal, The Mole, where Ahirudin is the advisor.
"Othman wrote on stock market and business related stories. When his chemotheraphy began, he was worried about his stories rather than his condition," said Ahirudin.
Meanwhile, Ahmad described Othman as a cheerful person who made friends easily and was very responsible.
"His death will be felt. He was caring towards his friends and loved to share his knowledge and experiences.
"After learning of his condition, several friends and I wanted to launch a project to help him but looks like we are unable to do so now," said Ahmad.