CHRONOLOGY (1971-2000)
@Sports stringer with the Straits Times in Malacca in 1971
@Cadet Reporter with Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur; covering Sports, General News and Crime (1973-1977).
@NST Correspondent for Negri Sembilan (1977-1979) and
@NST Sarawak correspondent (1981-1997).
@Public Relations Officer in the Chief Minister of Sarawak’s Department (1998-2000).
@Media Consultant See Hua and Borneo Post Group (2001).
@Media Consultant for the Sarawak Digest (Newsletter of SNAP) (2002-2006),
@Special writer Sarawak Tribune (2002-2006),
@Feature Writer for Star Publications (2002-2006)
@Editorial Advisor and Executive Director Eastern Times (2006-2010)
@LICENSEE for the New Sarawak Tribune (2010-2020)
@Executive director for New Sarawak Tribune (2010-2018)
Journalism and Editorial posts (1982-1997)
@Secretary of Kuching Reporters Fellowship
@Secretary of Federation of Sarawak Journalists,
@President of the Sportswriters Association
@Founder member of the Sarawak Union of Journalists
@ Editorial Board of Sarawak Gazette
@Editor Sarawak Digest (Newsletter of the Sarawak National Party)
@Co-ordinator of the Sarawak Book of Records (2000)
OTHERS
Journalism and Editorial posts (1982-1997)
@Secretary of Kuching Reporters Fellowship
@Secretary of Federation of Sarawak Journalists,
@President of the Sportswriters Association
@Founder member of the Sarawak Union of Journalists
@ Editorial Board of Sarawak Gazette
@Editor Sarawak Digest (Newsletter of the Sarawak National Party)
@Co-ordinator of the Sarawak Book of Records (2000)
@Hon Secretary of the Persatuan Veteran Keselamatan Malaysia (Cawangan Sarawak) 1993-1997. Toured Sarawak with Veteran’s President, lawyer and former ASP Wilfred Gomez anak Malong PGB, to register the names of 1,000 former Border Scouts who still have not been compensated for their services during Confrontation (1963-1967)
Author, publisher and editor of 41 books
1. A Gentleman's Victory for Taib Mahmud (1987)—Foreword by Tunku Abdul Rahman and launched YAB CM Datuk Patinggi Taib Kuching. Published by Datuk Ng Tie Chuan of Pelanduk
2. Kemenangan Bemaruah (1988). Translated in BM by Adibah Amin of NST
3. A Political Saga—Launched by Social Development Minister Datuk Adenan Satem at Sibu (1991) and attended by YAB Datuk Patinggi Taib. Published by Summer Times
4. Sarawak Awakens--The Politics of Development of Taib Mahmud (1991) Co-written with Kris Jitab and published by Datuk Hasmi Hasnan of Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd
5. Politik Pembangunan Taib Mahmud (1991). Naim Cendera
6. Bruno Manser--The Inside Story (1993 Summer Times Publications,Singapore. Edited by Captain Mike Callahan. Launched by YAB Datuk Patinggi Taib in the presence of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed who received a book from the author
7. The Adventures of Johnny Ritchie (1993). Edited and re-wrote a book on his father Dato Sri John George Ritchie which was launched by the Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. Published by Pelanduk
8. Bujang Senang--Terror of Batang Lupar (1993). Published by Rudi Affandi Khalik of SAMASA Press
9. Bujang Senang--Raja Buaya (1994). Re-written by award-winning Malaysian novelist Jong Chian Lai of Sarawak. SAMASA
10. Mystical Borneo--Silverstone Trans Borneo Expedition (1997). Published by Silverstone Tyres, Kuala Lumpur
11. Changes and Challenges (2000). A coffee Table book Published by Ho Ming Yung of IMPACT Design
12. Perubahan dan Cabaran (2001). IMPACT Design. Translated by Mat Nor Che Mat of Berita Harian
13. Tun Ahmad Zaidi--Son of Sarawak (2000): Launched by Tun Taib Mahmud at Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak (2000). Pelanduk 225 pages
14. Tun Ahmad Zaidi--Anak Watan Sarawak (2001). Published by Pelanduk and translated by Mat Nor Che Mat
15. State Elections in Sarawak (2003). Co-written with Tan Chin Siang and published by Barisan Nasional Sarawak
16. Abdul Taib Mahmud--41 Years in the News (2003). Text by James Ritchie and edited by Patrick Yeoh
17. The Lifestory of Temenggong Koh: Launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam at a Kuching Hotel (2003). Published by Temenggong Dato Sri Kenneth Kanyah anak Koh and graced by YAB Tun Taib
18. Connections--a Sarawak communications and multimedia story (2003). Sponsored and published by MMA.
19. Man-eating crocodiles of Borneo (2005). Co-written with Dr Neil Das and Johnson Jong. Published by Datuk Chan Chew Lun of Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu
20. Who Gives a Dam! The Bakun Odyssey (2009). Written and published by James Ritchie. 267 Pages
21. Honour Before Self —Story of a 2nd World War Sarawak Chinese Hero; Launched by Sarawak Commissioner of Police Dato Sri Yusof Jaafar at the Officers Mess (2000)
22. Blessed Destiny—Privately published story of Pehin Sri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s family (2005). Sponsored by Datuk Tufail Mahmud
23. Limbang--Crown Jewel of the North (2006): Short Coffee Table book (132 pages) on the history of Limbang and Laws. Sponsored by Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min
24. A Pictorial on Kuching City (2007) with Permanent Secretary Darrel Tsen
25. Rentap--Warrior, Legend and Enigma (2009) with former Federal Deputy Minister Dato Sri Edmund Langgu anak Saga
26. Penan on the Move—A Reporter’s Travelogue: A compilation of Stories (2009). Published and edited by James Ritchie, Rebekah Ritchie, Kenny Eee, Catriona Maddocks and Steven Obed,
27. The life of a Country Boy: Story of a Chinese-Iban Hospital Assistant (2013). Publisher and editor James Ritchie
28. CMS--The Pride of Sarawak: Launched by Chief Minister Tun Taib Mahmud at the Borneo Convention Centre (2014). Published by CMS
29. Abdul Taib Mahmud—50 Years in the news (2015): Foreword by Prime Minister Datuk Najib Tun Razak
30. Crimson Tide Over Borneo; Untold Police Stories and the Rise and Fall of the Sarawak Communist party (2011) co-written with Law Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi and ACP Thoo Kim Nyian. Launched by YAB Ketua Menteri Tun Taib in the presence of ex-IGP Tun Hanif Omar and IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar (562 pages). Published by Bekas Polis Sarawak
31. Journey into the Central Highlands of Borneo—The Kelabit Leap of Faith (2015): 564 pages. Launched by YB Gerawat Gala. Preface Dato Sri Gathorn, Earl of Cranbrook MA, PhD, foreword by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and mssages from Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Baram MP Anyi Ngau and president of FORMADAT Penghulu George Sigar
32. Arus Lembayung Merah Menyelubungi BORNEO (2018): Translated pf “Crimson Tide” in BM by Puan Faezah of Legenda Publications
33. My Changing World—The story of Kayan District Officer Stewart Ngau Ding (2018): Edited and re-written by Monalisa Usun Ngau Ding and Sophia Stewart. Published by Stewart Ngau Ding and family
34. "The Life Story of Ray Cunningham (2018); Published by James Ritchie and Datuk Gerawat Gala
35. "Api--The Tiger of Kanowit"--the life story of Datuk Lawrence Lim Eng Liong (2018). Co-written with Richard Song Trac Wheels. Launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari at Kuiching Hilton
36. Sarawak; An aerial view of Development. Conceptualized the book with Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Chan Hong Nam and State Planning Unit. Signed a RM1 million contract and wrote the first draft copy with IMAPACT Design and Typhoon Studio of Miri
37. KRFC—A History of 60 years of Rugby. Published by Richard Song of Trac Wheels
Books completed but not published (2020-2022)
1. The Life of Adenan Satem”
2. Bruno Manser—At Peace with the Spirits
4. Forever Green: Sarawak’s’ Forests and Wildlife
5. Bujang Berani--Forgotten Sarawak Heroes
6. Orang Utan; Legends and Myths from Borneo
7.SACOFA—Sarawak’s own multi-media story
Ritchie has also helped compile, edited or contributed articles to more than 50 newsletters, magazines and publications such as Asia Magazine, NST Annual, the New Reality.
@Inaugural issue of Golf Malaysia with NST Editor David Tambyah and subsequent golf stories. The inaugural issue with an article on the “Royal Golfer” YAMTUAN Tuanku Jaafar and signed by His Highness has been presented to Tun Ahmad Sarji for the archives.
@Publication of the Kelab Golf National Subang (KGNS) newsletter with NST Editor in Chief P.C. Shivadas and NST Editor David Tambyah in the late 1970s till 1980.
@Co-ordinated in the compilation of the "Sarawak--the Sports powerhouse" (2000) when he was President of the Sportswriters Association of Sarawak together with the late Datuk Taha Ariffin, patron of SAS.
@Co-ordinated and helped compiled the "Sarawak Book of Amazing Facts and Records" (2000) with Datuk Amar Laila Taib who was PATRON of the Project and Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing who was Chairman of the project
@Edited and helped compile the "Cession of Sarawak to Great Britain" the University Thesis of Tan Sri Bujang Nor (1999)
@Co-ordinated and edited “From Belacan to FM"--The Memoirs of Datu Affandi Tahir together with the author (2011)
@Introduced senior journalists from the NST and Malay Mail to assist with the inaugural Eastern Times. It included adviser P.C. Shivadas, former Straits Times correspondent for Sarawak, Sports editor of the Malay Mail Johnson Fernandez and Journalism Awards and Malay Mail Editor Emeritus Frankie de Cruz.
Journalism Awards
@Has won more 12 than journalism awards including the since the inaugural Ang Lai Soon Press Awards (1985),
Three times Shell Kenyalang Gold Award Gold Medallist 1995, 1996, 1997,
Six times Shell Kenyalang Award runners-up,
Twice AZAM Press Awards (first prize) and Consolation prize in the Esso National Environmental Awards.
@In 2018 he won the Shell Kenyalang Gold Award for Feature Writing.
Films Produced
@Ritchie had also produced three documentary films on the Penan
1. Penan of Sarawak (1996) together with RTM’s Abang Sulaiman Abang Joh
2. "Penan-Tribe in Transition" with Rackfocus’s Ahmad Yazid and Lydia Lubon with Renai Mattu as narrator. The documdenrtary can be be viewed going to www.penantribe.com and 3. Changes and Challenges of the Penan (2019)--not yet released
He wrote the scripts for "Penan--Tribe in Transition", Discovery Channel’s “Crocodile Lash” (2014)
Life Story of Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (produced by FINAS in 2013.
Honorary Awards
Over the last 30 years he has been conferred with eight awards—one from Pahang, four Sarawak awards, two from the Royal Malaysian Police and St John's Ambulance Sarawak and one Honorary Journalism Award
@Ahli Mahkota Pahang (AMP) or Member of the Order of the Pahang Royal House from the Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang in 2000 in conjunction with the 25th Silver Anniversary of the His Majesty
@Ahli Bintang Sarawak (ABS)—Presented acting TYT Datuk Amar Abang Marzuki at theLapau
@Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK)—Presidented by DCM Tan Sri Jabu at Lapau
@ Pingat Peringatan Delima (Gangsa)—DCM Jabu at Lapau
@Pingat Terpuji Jubilee Mas (2014)—by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud in conjunction with Sarawak’s Golden Jubilee after 50 years of Independence.
@Pingat IGP "Friends of the Police" Award (2012) in conjunction with the Royal Malaysian Police Day at Dataran Merdeka on March 25, 2012. The award was for writing the history of the Sarawak Police and the Rise and Fall of the Communist Insurgency.
@Datuk Ang Lai Soon "St John's Ambulance" Gold Award (2017); the State’s first Press Awards sponsored by a philanthropist
@Tokoh Wartawan Sarawak 2020
in conjunction with the Kuching Divisional Journalist Association (KDJA) “Shell Kenyalang” Press awards at Crown Plaza Riverside Majestic
ends/jr August 25, 2022
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