KUALA LUMPUR: The death of veteran journalist Datuk Rosnah Abd Majid is a loss to the industry, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said Rosnah, 71, who won the Kajai Award in 1984, had long been a reference point for younger journalists.
"The journalism world has lost another gem with the passing of veteran journalist Datuk Rosnah today," Fahmi wrote on X.
"On behalf of @komunikasi_gov, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late Datuk Rosnah. May her soul rest in peace, and may she be granted a place among the righteous."
Rosnah, who was born in Sungai Pial, Merbuk, Kedah, died today at 9.30am. Her death was confirmed by her sister, Mariam Abdul Majid.
Rosnah had been suffering from kidney-related medical issues since undergoing undergone a kidney transplant in China in 2001.
Her remains are in Penang, and she will be buried in Kuala Lumpur.
Rosnah was an alumna of Universiti Malaya, where she completed her degree in Economics before going on to serve as a reporter at Utusan Malaysia for 20 years.
She started her career in journalism in 1977 and became a figure in the media landscape.
Apart from journalism, Rosnah also ventured into politics when she contested against a Pas candidate and won the Tanjung Dawai state seat in Kedah in the 1999 General Election.
She served as the head of Wanita Umno's liaison committee for Kedah from 2000 to 2003.
In 2007, Universiti Utara Malaysia appointed her as an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Communication and Modern Languages, a role she held for one year.
Her death has left a void in both journalism and political, with many remembering her for her dedication and contributions to the country.