Rafeah Buang - Born To Sing Azman Ahmad  (The Malay Mail Malaysia)

TOH Puan Setia Datuk Rafeah Buang passed away at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital early yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Rafeah, 55, died in her sleep while undergoing treatment at the oncology ward. She was admitted to the hospital in early February.

Rafeah had always wanted to be a singer despite her mother’s initial wish to see her become a religious teacher.

Without her mother’s knowledge, Rafeah joined a band in her village - Kampung Pisang in Singapore.

Rafeah’s talent saw her emerging champion in her first contest, Bintang Satria Singapura. After hearing Rafeah singing on the radio, her mother cancelled the plan to send her beloved daughter to Indonesia for religious studies.

The budding singer then took part in Bintang Radio Malaysia, held in Kuala Lumpur and grabbed the first place with Bakti Setia.

She secured a recording contract in 1966, churning out mostly “langgam” and asli numbers.

Rafeah was also chosen to join the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee and his late wife Saloma for a tour of Malaysia and Sumatra Utara.

One of her regular duet partners was Ahmad Jais.

She married a member of the Pahang royal family, Datuk Setia Perkasa Tengku Datuk Asmawi Tengku Hussin in 1970.

She was blessed with four children but lost Tengku Ameerul Ashraf in 1993 at age 10 in a road accident.

With over 20 albums to her credit, including under the EMI label, Senada Records, Polygram Records and Life Records, Rafeah was honoured with the title, Singer Of All Seasons.

Among her evergreen hit songs were Bisikan Hati, Kecantikan, Pengorbanan, Pesan Bonda, Kenangan Di Rantau Abang, Don Juan, Udang Sama Udang and Disebut Jangan Dikenang Jangan which were very popular in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

She also recorded a popular Raya song, Bila Takbir Bergema, which is still a staple for Hari Raya.

Her well-received albums included Ada Yang Cemburu Buta, Cita Ku, Kau Akan Mengerti, Lagu Mu Teman Ku, Jarinya Merah, Itulah Harinya, Menanti Hujan Teduh, Potret Seorang Biduanita, Bisikan Hati, Kan Ku Berikan Hati, Impian, Bila Terima Puji Pujian, Don Juan II, Di Luar Jendela and Dalam Ketenangan.

Rafeah retired from recording some years back but continued to give occasional performances especially at royal functions.

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