Veteran journalist Bahyah Mahmood dies

Veteran journalist Bahyah Mahmood, 76, passed away at 5.20 am today at National Cancer Institute, Putrajaya.

The former Editor in Chief of Kumpulan Utusan's entertainment magazine, URTV, lost her battle after years of suffering from cancer.

She was the wife of former Mingguan Malaysia Editor in Chief, Ahmad Idris, who passed away February last year.

Her body will be brought to her home in Lorong Enggang 3, Keramat, this morning and will be buried at the nearest cemetery.

Bahyah, better known as Kak Bam, was an influential name in entertainment journalism in the 70s to the 90s.

She will be remembered for her talent in writing as well as her personality.

Bahyah started her career as a journalist in Singapore in 1965, before moving to Kuala Lumpur in 1967. She retired in 1996.

During her years as journalist, she had witnessed the success of many prolific artists such as Sharifah Aini, Sudirman, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Yusof Haslam, Hail Amir, Noor Kumalasari, DJ Dave, Rafeah Buang, Uji Rashid and Latiff Ibrahim.

She was also one of the juries involved in giving Seniman Agung P. Ramlee and Biduan Negara Saloma's awards.

Besides, she was also appointed as the Member of Board of Directors from 1991-1993 and one of the founders of Festival Filem Malaysia in 1980.