KiniTV producer Prasadh Rao dies aged 34

Journalist Prasadh Michael Rao, who joined Malaysiakini in 2010, passed away yesterday at 34.

Born on Nov 23, 1989, he started his career with Malaysiakini as content editor of komunitikini, a project by Malaysiakini.

He then moved to KiniTV in 2013 becoming one of the best-known faces to the online audience as a field reporter and news presenter.

He anchored two KiniTV flagship programmes, the English bulletin #kininews and the Bahasa Malaysia bulletin “Sekilas Fakta”.

He also worked behind the scenes as a KiniTV producer.

Prasadh was involved in an accident last year, leaving him paralysed from the chest below.

“He was in and out of the ICU with multiple complications regarding a collapsed lung. He eventually overcame everything, and all wounds and pressure sores healed as well.

“Yesterday during a routine check-up he had some kind of a seizure,” said a family member.

Following a postmortem conducted today, it was determined that the cause of death was pulmonary thromboembolism due to vein thromboembolism of the left lower limb.

Dedicated journalist

Malaysiakini head of operations Tham Seen Hau said Prasadh was a talented and dedicated journalist.

“He hosted talk shows in both English and BM.

“We are devastated by the news. Prasadh had been with us since his university days. His absence from the newsroom will be deeply felt,” she said.

Malaysiakini executive editor RK Anand described Prasadh’s passing as a “great loss to the Malaysiakini family”.

“Prasadh was committed to Malaysiakini’s mission. Far from sight but never from our hearts,” he added.

Prasadh leaves behind his father Michael Baboo Rao and a sister Priyanka.

The wake will be held at 92, Lorong Lima, Kampung Pandan from 4pm today until 1pm tomorrow.

A funeral mass will then be held at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jalan Peel at 2pm followed by final rites at the Cheras DBKL Crematorium at 3.30pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed his sadness over hearing the news.

"Sad to receive news from media friends about Prasadh who passed away yesterday.

"My condolences to his family members and friends at Malaysiakini," said Fahmi on X.