Veteran 60s crooner Ahmad Jais passes away at 75.
The Star/Asia News Network
Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011
SHAH ALAM - Veteran 60s singer Datuk Mohd Jais Ahmad , reputed to have one of the most brilliant vocal cords among local crooners, has died at the Darul Ehsan Medical Centre (DEMC) here. He was 75.
Better known by his stage name Ahmad Jais, the singer passed away at about 9.30am yesterday.
He succumbed to lung complications after 15 days at the hospital.
He was laid to rest at the Section 10 Muslim burial ground here after zuhur prayers.
Among those at the funeral were fellow artistes Datuk Sharifah Aini, Datuk Ahmad Nawab, Datuk Baharuddin Omar and Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia president Freddie Fernandez.
Two of the late singer's daughters, Maimun Mohd Jais, 31, and Mashita Mohd Jais, 25, were at his side when he died.
"His condition had been unstable since yesterday and we started reciting the Yassin. His last words were for us to take care of the family," said Maimun.
Long-time friend Datuk Aziz Sattar said Ahmad Jais' death was a big loss to the local arts and entertainment industry.
"He contributed so much to the development of the industry through his songs. It will be hard to replace him," added the actor-comedian-director.
The late singer from Kapar, near Klang, had complained of fatigue after performing in Batu Pahat, Johor, on Sept 8.
He was admitted to the KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital on Sept 24 and transferred to DEMC a day later where he was admitted due to breathing difficulty.
He was one of the most popular singers in the pop yeh yeh era of the 1960s and 1970s and had recorded more than 100 songs, including duets with the late Datin Rafeah Buang, jazz and keroncong songstress Kartina Dahari and veteran Indonesian singer S. Effendi.
His greatest hits were Di Ambang Sore, Gelisah and Selamat Hari Raya. His other memorable tunes include Bunga Ku Puja Dipetik Orang, Dikau Pujaan, Bahtera Merdeka, Kucupan Azimat and Budi Setahun Segunung Intan.
In 2002, the artistes' federation Papita honoured him with the Artis Sepanjang Zaman (Evergreen Artiste) Award. He also earned a similar award from Berita Harian and various other industry awards.
In 2006, he was awarded the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title Datuk, from then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail.
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