Early today, staff of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) lost a colleague with the demise of senior journalist M Santhiran at Primus Chanakyapuri Hospital in New Delhi.

The news agency's India correspondent died due to several complications after being admitted to the hospital last Friday for diarrhea.

Santhiran, 48, died at 11.40pm local time (2.10am Malaysian time).

Known as "Abang San" among Bernama journalists, Santhiran's passing was regarded a huge loss for Bernama staff, colleagues and media friends, especially senior journalist Suriati Sidek Ahmad, head of the Court Desk at Bernama, who had known him for the past 10 years.

"He was not only an office colleague, but also a friend. He was approachable, liked to give advice and guidance on writing of court, crime and political news.

"We clicked together and that was why we were able to work together during the coverage on (former opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case at the High Court, Appeals Court and also the Federal Court.

"When the Federal Court gave its decision on Anwar's case on Feb 10 last year, Santhiran was already transferred to New Delhi, so I sent him a message through Whatsapp telling him that I missed my partner in Anwar's case.

"I wrote: 'Please come and help me' and he replied: 'You can do it Su'," said Suriati.

His course mate during university days, who is now Bernama bureau head in Kota Kinabalu, Nashir Mansor, regarded Santhiran as a helpful and approachable person and always had a smile on his face.

"We were in the same batch at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang in 1989. We took Mass Communication with majoring in journalism. There were times when we were in the same group to carry out an assignment and he would always come to my room to discuss.

"He was never stingy with knowledge," said Nashir, who was still shocked with the news on Santhiran's death.

Meanwhile, Bernama chairperson Azman Ujang expressed his condolences on behalf of Bernama to Santhiran's family.

Azman said Santhiran was among Bernama's senior journalists who were very dedicated to their jobs.

"On behalf of Bernama, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late M Santhiran and Bernama will contact the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi to bring back his remains to Malaysia," he added.

Bernama editor-in-chief Zakaria Abdul Wahab said Santhiran was very committed in carrying out his duty as a journalist and his demise was a great loss to the agency.

"I had the opportunity to meet up with Santhiran before he went back to New Delhi recently and he was full of enthusiasm to improve Bernama's coverage there, but, he was called home so soon and we pray his soul rests in peace.

"My condolences to his family, another of our hero has left us unexpectedly," he said.

Bernama deputy editor-in-chief Mokhtar Hussain regarded Santhiran as a dedicated journalist who had vast contact in the field.

Santhiran joined Bernama in October 2002 and was attached with the agency's Court Desk for 10 years before appointed as the agency's correspondent in India, effective Feb 1, 2015.

His remains would be brought back and expected to be laid to rest in Puchong, Selangor.

He is survived by wife D Malarvili , 47, and two sons, S Rutran, 18, and S Nahvin, 16.

- Bernama