KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Veteran fashion and lifestyle journalist Datuk Kee Hua Chee has died of pneumonia near Kota Baru, Kelantan.

Kee was a prominent figure in the Malaysian fashion industry for over 30 years.

He was also known for his flamboyant and quirky fashion sense.

Event organiser and Kee’s close friend Mi-Ki Choong first broke the news yesterday via her Facebook page.

"It is with a really heavy heart that I have been tasked to make a formal announcement of the passing of a dear departed good friend, the late Datuk Kee Hua Chee. He left us on Thursday March 24 2023 at 11.45am in Kuala Krai.

"His extended family will be cremating him today and his ashes will be placed along with his father’s ashes in Kelantan where he was born and raised.

"I am still processing that he has really gone as one would have hoped and prayed for his full recovery; even though he had diabetes and contracted pneumonia several weeks ago,” she wrote on her post.

Choong added that Kee’s family wanted to be given some privacy and further details on Kee’s memorial service will be shared soon.

Event organiser and the founder of Stylo International, Datuk Nancy Yeoh told The Star that she was devastated by Kee’s passing.

Yeoh, who’s also a close friend, said that Kee was visiting his mother who has dementia in Kota Baru and on the last day of his visit, Kee had had a fall and was admitted to a hospital nearby.

She added that Kee’s diabetes had led to pneumonia, and he went into a coma for a few days.

Kee regained consciousness afterwards and had called Yeoh and some of his friends who suggested it was better for him to be moved to Kuala Lumpur.

However, on the journey to KL, his oxygen level dropped and the ambulance then sent him to Hospital Kuala Krai, where he died.

Kee’s passing had also taken the local fashion industry by surprise and prompted fellow celebrities and industry players to pay their respects to Kee via social media.

"Rest in peace dear Datuk Kee Hua Chee. Words just can’t describe. You are the most colourful and eccentric person I have ever known for the last 3 decades.

"Thank you for your contributions in our respective industries. We will miss you!” Local fashion doyenne Gillian Hung wrote on her Facebook.

"Datuk Kee Hua Chee definitely stood out in his dressing and took flamboyance to another level. I first met him at the palace — never shying away from telling everyone how he was "the most sought out feature writer for all things royal” and "socialites love me!”

"Oh Kee. You were eccentric and brash. But not many understand you have a kind soul.

"My condolences to his family and friends who will surely miss him. Rest well Kee. Continue to colour everyone’s life in the afterlife,” Malaysian TV personality Daphne Iking shared on her Facebook page.

During his time as a journalist, Kee was a regular in many society magazines and excelled in celebrity interviews.

He also helped organise and promote fashion shows, award shows as well as beauty pageants and was well known for his friendships with prominent Malaysians including royalties, leaders, business people as well as fashion models.