KUALA LUMPUR: Former 'The Star' group chief editor Datuk Ng Poh Tip died at her home in Subang Jaya today. She was 81.
Her death was confirmed by former 'The Star' group chief editor Michael Aeria, who worked with Ng for almost 20 years.
"I received news of her passing early this morning.
"She had been unwell for a long time and had suffered two strokes and was admitted to the intensive care unit for more than a week," Aeria was quoted as saying by 'The Star'.
Describing his former boss as the calmest editor-in-chief he had ever seen, Aeria said Ng played a crucial role in the publication's growth.
"She was one of the reasons why the editorial department performed well. She would give us space to grow and try new things."
'The Star' group adviser and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai expressed his appreciation to Ng for asking him to rejoin the publication after completing his studies in 1984.
"I left 'The Star' in 1980, and after my studies, she asked me to return a day after I completed my final exams."
Ng began her career as a journalist in 1971 and made history as the country's first female group editor when she was appointed to the position at 'The Star' in 1993, where she served until 2003.
Ng, whose husband died 10 years ago, had no children.