FARIT Ismeth Emir, a popular Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) newscaster in the 1980s and 1990s, died of cancer about 11am today at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya. He was 66.

Fellow newsreader Hajah Hazlinda Hamzah, who worked with Farit for more than 13 years, described him as a friend who never said no when someone was in need.

“Behind his serious demeanour, he was actually friendly and down-to-earth… I will always remember his kindness,” said Hazlinda, who is currently a BernamaTV executive producer.

She said Malaysians who tuned in to RTM’s TV1 and TV2 in the 1980s would remember an advertisement for a cigarette brand where Farit lent his “golden voice” for the famous “Gaya, Mutu, Keunggulan” tagline.

Hazlinda, who presented the news alongside Farit in the Berita Perdana and Berita Dunia Jam 10 programmes, said her colleague was a very tall man, and this made it uncomfortable for him to sit behind the desk on set.

“He would shake his legs while waiting his turn to read, but he made sure it didn’t bother the other readers.

“I felt a little sorry for him, too… his sitting position was awkward because of his height and long legs.”

Farit’s uncle and former Asean Chamber of Commerce president, Moehamad Izat Emir, said his nephew was a jokester who always made those around him laugh.

“On television, we saw him as a serious man. But the fact is, he always made people laugh. We wouldn’t know if he had any problem because he never showed it.

“I was shocked to find out he had cancer just two weeks ago. It is a huge loss to the family,” the 81-year-old told Bernama.

Farit leaves behind seven children. Funeral prayers will be held at the Section 3 mosque in Petaling Jaya today. – Bernama, April 20, 2020.