Veteran Malaysian auto journalist, Louis Cheang dies

Got an early morning SMS it reads

“Dear Friends, received the below message from wong sai wan of star, Louis cheng just passed away. Sai Wan”

Those of us who grew up reading the Star would be familiar with Louis Cheang’s car reviews over the last 30 years or so. He was a permanent fixture at most motoring until his retirement. Even then he still contributed to the Star’s motoring pages and supplements.

Louis was a friendly person and always had a story to share. We will miss him.

Below is fellow Star motoring journalist, Hong Boon How’s recollection of Louis.

Cheang’s death a big loss to Malaysian Motoring Scene

By Hong Boon How

PETALING JAYA: While most people would take things easy in retirement, The Star’s long-time motoring writer Louis Cheang (pic) just refused to ease off on his throttle.

For those who knew him, cars and the happenings in the automotive industry were his passion and topics.

Just two days before his passing yesterday, Cheang had dropped by Menara Star for a cup of tea and to check on the e-mail submission of his latest article.

Despite being 64 years old, Cheang was still fit and preferred to go around on his motorcycle to avoid traffic jams. But he got caught in an afternoon downpour that day.

Although looking a bit tired, he was hale and hearty and his passing was like a jolt from the blue for me.

Cheang, who died at home early yesterday, is survived by his wife Chelsea Ng, a deputy news editor in The Star, and twin daughters Pebbles and Penelope, three.

He retired in 2005, after serving The Star for more than 21 years, and continued writing motoring articles.

Before he joined The Star, he worked for the New Straits Times group. In the 1970s, Cheang was involved in motorsports, especially in rallying.

Friends will remember him for his enthusiastic stories about driving fast and exotic cars during his globetrotting assignments.

I only got to know him better after I joined the motoring desk in 2005, the same year he retired.

As a friend and colleague, Cheang would go out his way to help those in need, and make a personal effort in teaching greenhorns the workings of the automotive industry.

One of his most memorable moments was the day he managed to clear the entire editorial floor of The Star. It was in 1985 and he had told everyone that he had a Proton Saga test car parked outside the office. In minutes, everyone was outside to check out the very first national car themselves.

Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir remembers Cheang as a person committed to his career as a motoring writer.

“It’s sad to hear about his passing as Cheang had a friendly approach and was quite an easy person to get along with,” he said.

Cars Bikes Trucks editor Yamin Vong said Cheang’s death came as a big shock to the motoring press.

“He will be sadly missed by many in the motoring press, especially the international journalists as he was seen as the representative of the Malaysian motoring media,” he said.

Cheang’s funeral will begin at 10am tomorrow at his home at 46, Jalan Damai Murni 9, Alam Damai, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.

For more details, call 012-375 4528.

Thanks NDMervin for the link