Pen Samitthy, the editor-in-chief of Cambodia’s largest daily newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea, passed away from an illness on March 30. He was 54 years old.

He began his career with a government post in 1979, but soon found himself in journalism.

After becoming a reporter for Phnom Penh Weekly in 1981, he spent more than three decades in the industry.

Samitthy served as the editor-in-chief of the Rasmei Kampuchea for more than two decades having taken the post in 1993. He also doubled as the editor of the online paper Cambodia Express News since 2008.

Samitthy also dedicated himself to nurturing young journalists as well as furthering journalism in Cambodia. He served as a lecturer at the Department of Media and Communication at Royal University of Phnom Penh, and as the president of Club of Cambodian Journalists.

“He was a good man, a good father, a good and competent editor-in-chief of Rasmei Kampuchea Newspaper. He made a lot of contribution to the success of the newspaper,” Nguon Serath, political editor of Rasmei Kampuchea Newspaper.

“His death is a big loss for us and also for the journalism in Cambodia as he also serves as the president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists which is a leading association that serves the interest of journalists and press freedom in Cambodia.”

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)