KUALA LUMPUR — Former veteran TV 3 journalist journalist Datuk Karam Singh Walia, who endeared himself to viewers with his catchy rhymes in his broadcast reports, died early this morning. He was 67.
Karam, who covered the environmental beat and delivered bold, high-impact reports, died at his home in Klang at 3.30am today, Media Prima Bhd said in a statement reported by New Straits Times.
He is remembered for his work that focused on exposing pollution crimes while pushing for greater public safety and environmental sustainability.
His trademark was to weave rhymes and Malay proverbs into his investigative reports, which he delivered authoritatively in Bahasa Malaysia.
Born in 1959 in Teluk Intan, Perak, he began his TV reporting career with Media Prima in 1995, and spent 20 years as a broadcast journalist before retiring in 2014 due to health issues. In 2022, he was diagnosed with liver and kidney disease.
Media Prima described him as an iconic journalist, a colleague and friend to many. His unique style also made him one of the most recognisable faces in Malaysian broadcasting.
Karam was also honoured multiple times by the Malaysia Press Institute (MPI) with awards for Best Television Environmental Journalis in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and was also a two-time recipient of the Best TV Journalist award at the Anugerah Seri Angkasa.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil paid tribute to Karam Singh, describing him as a journalist who left a deep impact on Malaysian journalism.
“He added colour to the news reports he delivered with his own style. Anyone who watched Bulletin TV3, especially from the ‘90s to 2014, will surely remember him for the poems that he ended each report with.
“I was among those who followed his reporting and greatly appreciate the dedication with which he served the world of broadcasting,” Fahmi said in a post on Facebook. – April 6, 2026