GEORGE TOWN, Feb 23 — Ruby Lee Poh Ai was a pioneer in the state’s freight forwarding and shipping industry.

People in the industry said Lee, who owned a freight forwarding company, was well known, friendly and had an outgoing personality.

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

"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 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 said.

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

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

"I knew Lee through a friend for the past year as she was an active member of a zumba fitness  centre in Tanjung Bungah,” she said.

Another friend, who wanted to be known as Lim, said Lee was a jovial and friendly person who liked to meet people.

"I attended tuition classes with her during our younger days but did not keep in touch after we finished school,” Lee, who manages a chain of restaurants, said.

"I used to bump into her during events and dinners once in a while. The last I saw her was last year. I feel strongly for her. It’s a brutal killing for whatever reasons it may be.”

A 37-year-old sales executive from Pulau Tikus, who gave his name as Chan, said Lee liked going to malls to shop.

"She had many friends and was a socialite who liked to attend functions and community gatherings,” she said.