KUALA LUMPUR: It's been 50 years since Malaysia's legendary entertainer Tan Sri P. Ramlee died unexpectedly at the age of 44.
Regarded as a titan of the arts who shaped the history of the Malay film and music scene, P. Ramlee wore many creative hats as an actor, singer, director, composer, scriptwriter, lyricist and comedian.
"To me, Daddy was a good, thoughtful and cheerful man. Today is the 50th anniversary of his passing and I feel a deep feeling of loss," said his 64-year-old son Sazali in a Berita Harian news report today.
He added: "Daddy was admired and respected throughout his life. Even though he's gone, a lot of Daddy's works, be it his films or songs are always being screened or played."
The late artiste extraordinaire was reported to have breathed his last at 4.30am in an ambulance on the way to the hospital after he suffered a heart attack in his residence at No. 22, Jalan Dedap in Setapak, here, which has since been turned into the P. Ramlee Memorial House.
P. Ramlee, whose real name was Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh, was laid to rest at the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery and his passing was likened by former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein as an irreplaceable loss of an outstanding arts figure.
Sazali hoped that Malaysians would continue to pray for his late father to be among the blessed.
"Previously, my wife and I would visit Daddy's grave site but because of our deteriorating health we have not been able to.
"However, I try to make do in another way by praying for Daddy especially on Thursday nights and in organising tahlil sessions.
"As his son, I hope that Malaysians will pray for him and recite the Al-Fatihah on his behalf since that is the best," he said.
Meanwhile, Sazali explained that he had yet to receive any reply with regards to his appeal for an extension to the 50-year duration of royalty payments for P. Ramlee's works.
"Until now I have not received any feedback on the matter from the relevant parties. Before this I was told that they would help, but it's all been quiet so far.
"I understand that at this point, there has yet to be a decision made on extending the period of royalty payments.
"Everything is in their hands, so there's nothing I can do. I can only wait," he said.
It was reported that for the past 50 years, the royalties were channelled to P. Ramlee's late wife Puan Sri Saloma until her passing on April 25, 1983 in accordance with the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987.
The royalty payments were then directed to their late eldest son Nasir P. Ramlee, who had an agreement with his other siblings on the distribution of the money received.
When Nasir died on Nov 23, 2008, the royalty contract facilitated by the Music Authors' Copyright Protection (MACP) continued with payments to the other heirs which included Sazali.
Following a call from industry activists for P. Ramlee's royalty distribution period to be extended for another 20 years late last year, MACP reportedly explained that they were still waiting for the government's decision on the matter.