KUALA LUMPUR: Former Radio-Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) newscaster Wan Chik Othman (pix) died today at 10 am at her residence in Lembah Keramat, here.
Artiste Association of Malaysia (Seniman) secretary-general Hafiz Hanafiah, in a statement today, said that she died from health complications at the age of 80.
Wan Chik was a popular RTM newscaster in the 1980s.
The wife of the late actor, M. Rajoli, Wan Chik had also acted in the films ‘Do Re Mi’ and ‘Nasib Do Re Mi’ directed by Tan Sri P. Ramlee in 1966.
Wan Chik’s remains were taken to the Al-Khairiah AU3 Keramat Mosque for funeral prayers and then were laid to rest at the Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery at 5.50 pm.
Wan Chik passed away due to complications from various illnesses including breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke.
Meanwhile, Wan Chik’s fourth child, Shaizar Md Daud, 50, said that his late mother’s mother’s health was deteriorating ever since she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in November last year.
“Mama’s health began to deteriorate since November last year. Since then I have been worried and always come to visit her. The last time I met Mama was last week and she was less responsive then,” he told reporters after the funeral.
Meanwhile, the president of the RTM Veterans Association Zohara Gany Mhd Bathusha, 67, who was in tears, said that the late Wan Chik was generous with her smiles, humble, highly disciplined and always punctual.
“The last time I met Kak Wan was in January this year at her house and she was less talkative then, only able to smile.
“I also just found out that Kak Wan used the contributions we gave her to send people to perform the hajj. It was very touching to know that she used the donation meant for her to send others to perform hajj. Despite her illness she still helped others.”
“She was also my actor and acted many times. She never gave us any problem. Kak Wan was a very disciplined and punctual person. It will be hard to find a committed and disciplined actor like her,” she said. — Bermana
