Penang drive-by shooting: Friends say victim was well-liked

GEORGE TOWN — Tributes have poured in for the 49-year-old businesswoman who was killed earlier this week in a gangland-style murder.

Ms Ruby Lee Poh Ai was a pioneer in Penang’s freight forwarding and shipping industry, and people in the industry have described her as friendly and outgoing.

WK Loh, 46, who had known Ms Lee for more than 10 years, said: “She worked hard over the years to set up her own company and was trusted by people in the industry.

“I know her family too as we lived in the same neighbourhood. She was an easy-going person who cared for her family and friends.”

Logistics operator S. Nithia, 42, said he looked up to Ms Lee as she was a “senior” in the industry. 

 “I can recall one instance when I was waiting for a friend to pick me up in the city and she happened to pass by and called out to me,” he recounted.

“I was surprised she recognised me and called my name,” added Mr Nithia, who considered himself a “junior” in the industry.

A tour agent, who wished to be identified only as Ms Buvana, described Ms Lee as a friendly and charitable woman who was never short of a smile.

“I knew her through a friend for the past year as she was an active member of a zumba fitness centre,” she said.

“She was also charitable and involved in charity events at a Buddhist temple here.”

Ms Lee was driving along a road in a housing estate in Penang on Tuesday (Feb 21), and was headed towards George Town when two men on a motorcycle approached her car. One of them then fired at point-blank range 10 shots at her. At least six shots struck her.

Videos of the incident, which showed Ms Lee’s car losing control and hitting another vehicle, went viral online.

From her Facebook page, it is clear that she was a foodie and animal lovers. The page was also filled with photographs of her fitness routine and her in glamorous dresses, The Star reported.

And on Wednesday (Feb 22), one of Ms Lee’s two sons posted a heartfelt message on her Facebook page.

“People always say life is short. Cherish and appreciate your loved ones when they are still around. I never thought such things would happen to me,” the 23-year-old wrote.

“In the blink of an eye, you’re gone. I’m still trying to accept that I will never be able to hear your voice anymore.

“If there is one thing I regret, it is not cherishing you when I had the chance. Now, everything seems dull. It feels as if a part of me is missing.

“Mum, I’m sorry for everything. Sorry for not being a filial son; sorry for not being able to repay you, sorry for not being able to tell you I love you for the last time. You will be missed.”

Ms Lee’s death was reminiscent of an incident last July when real estate agent Renyce Wong Siew Ling was shot dead – also at close range by two assailants on a motorcycle while she was driving in Kuala Lumpur.

Her eight-year-old daughter, who was in the front passenger seat, was hit by a stray bullet that pierced her intestines in nine places.

Another shooting incident took place in December when a bodyguard shot and killed three people, including his employer, Mr Ong Teik Kwong, on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu expressway in Penang.

Four other people were injured. The expressway is one of the major thoroughfares leading into George Town from mainland Penang. AGENCIES