KUALA LUMPUR: During Hari Raya Aidilfitri at his house in Taman Sri Ukay, Hulu Klang last week, Datuk A. Rahman Hassan had a bright idea.
He planned to have his family members gather "once again" for his grandson Irwanshah Khairulazmi's birthday on June 13, the ninth day of Raya.
A. Rahman's eldest son Khir, 46, fully agreed with him, but little did he realise that the "gathering" was actually his final farewell.
"Yes, it would be great to have another family get-together, particularly one for the youngsters, I thought. Little did we know it was dad's last goodbye," said Khir at his father's funeral in Masjid Al-Ansar, Taman Keramat, Hulu Klang today.
"Dad was in good spirits, he was his usual hale and hearty self and his appetite had never been better. We had a lot to talk about, and when it came to me, he was always eager to hear about my latest projects on the big and small screens."
Alas, the 73-year-old pop yeh yeh legend and founder of rock group Nirwana breathed his last at the Ampang Hospital in Pandan Mewah at 12.40am today, three days after losing consciousness at a petrol station in Ampang.
Khir described his father as his "biggest influence" even though he did not exactly follow A. Rahman's footsteps into singing.
"I did sing for a while, but acting has always been my first choice. And dad gave me 100 per cent support from the start," said Khir, adding that his father watched his dramas and films diligently.
"He was my biggest fan and critic, who was very particular about language and manners. Dad always taught us to speak good Bahasa Malaysia and avoid using foul language.
"Besides, he always reminded me to uphold the beauty of Bahasa Malaysia and show it respect, be it on screen, in songs, or in daily conversations."
A. Rahman was buried at the Taman Keramat Muslim Cemetery around 3pm after Zohor prayers.
More than 200 people attended his funeral and among the artistes present were Datuk DJ Dave, Datuk Jeffrydin, Datuk M Nasir, Fauziah Nawi and Hail Amir.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi also attended the funeral.