KUALA LUMPUR: The man behind traditional pop music gems as Cindai and Balqis by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, and Dondang Dendang by Noraniza Idris is no more.
Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain or Pak Ngah, 60, died in Batam, Indonesia at 3.02pm today while on a business trip to the republic with his wife Datin Sharifah Muhani.
Noraniza, who confirmed news of his death, said Suhaimi’d son Megat told her that he collapsed while at work, and his family members were preparing to bring his remains back to Malaysia.
“On behalf of my family, we are sad to note that Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain or Pak Ngah passed away this afternoon. Al-Fatihah,” he said in a message to Noraniza and her fellow artistes.
One of Suhaimi’s nieces, identified only as Wani, said the composer died while on his return flight, and his body was taken to a hospital in Batam.
“We are all shocked and saddened by his sudden death. He was hale and hearty when I last saw him a few days ago,” she said.
Suhaimi, who has been suffering from a heart ailment and diabetes for the past few years, was synonymous with Irama Malaysia music, and became the first composer and lyricist of that genre to win at the Anugerah Juara Lagu in 1999.
In that year, his compositions Hati Kama, a Siti and Noraniza duet, Samrah Mentari by Datuk Jamal Abdillah and Dondang Dendang qualified for Irama Malaysia category, and Hati Kama won.
Noraniza also took home Best Performance for Dondang Dendang.
In 1997, Suhaimi produced Noraniza’s best-selling album Ala Dondang and two years later, he produced Siti’s Cindai which attained quintuple platinum sales of more than 250,000 units by 2000.
Besides Siti and Noraniza, Suhaimi also composed songs for Wany Hasrita, Zehra Zambri and Syura.
Early last year, Suhaimi was one of three mentors in TV3 reality talent show 3 Juara representing the Irama Malaysia genre. The others were Ajai (Ballads) and Edrie Hashim (Rock).
“The key to staying on top in Irama Malaysia is improvisation for every performance,” he said in an interview back then.
Suhaimi, who was born in Kampung Baru, learnt traditional music from gambus player Fadhil Ahmad and represented Malaysia in cultural festivals overseas.
He formed Pak Ngah Productions in 1995, and produced musical shows for Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) as well as albums for artistes.
Suhaimi was also the music director for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games 1998, the 50th Merdeka celebrations in 2007 and several Ambang Merdeka concerts.
Several artistes took to Facebook to express their condolences to Suhaimi’s family.
Ezad Lazim said: “Salam takziah to the family of Pak Ngah Suhaimi Mohd Zain. We’ve all lost a great musician and mentor.”
Ani Mayuni said: “I’m speechless. Pak Ngah, you will be missed.”
“A great loss. RIP Pak Ngah,”!said Ieda Moin.
“Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain was a great mentor, teacher and friend. His loss is irreplaceable,” said Nizam Din.
Sarah Fazny of Mentor Legend said: “Al-Fatihah buat Pak Ngah. I’ll always remember his kind and fatherly advice and encouragment.”