60s diva Rafeah Buang dies

KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Rafeah Buang, diva of the 60s and 70s, suffering from cancer since January, succumbed to her illness at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital early yesterday.

A hospital spokesman said the singer died in her sleep at 3.30am.

According to family sources, she was to have celebrated her 55th birthday and 31st wedding anniversary today.

Rafeah, who married Pahang prince Datuk Tengku Asmawi Tengku Hussain, was admitted to the KLH on April 22 to undergo chemotherapy. She was earlier diagnosed as having cancer of the backbone, swelling of the kidney and ulcers.

She leaves behind three children – Tengku Ahmad Ashraf, 30, Tengku Khairul Ashraf, 29, and Tengku Nurimah Soleha, six.

Her remains were brought to the royal burial ground and laid to rest beside her son, Tengku Ameerul Ashraf, who died in a 1993 accident when he was 10.

Among those present at the funeral were the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah and the Sultan of Pahang’s consort Sultanah Kalsom, Pahang royal family members, state executive councillors and government department heads.

Tengku Abdullah told reporters that Tengku Asmawi, who was involved in the preparations for the wedding between the Tengku Muda of Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman and Singaporean Julita Aishah Abdul Latiff this weekend, would be excused for a few days due to his wife’s death.

The Regent called on mosques and surau in the state to hold tahlil prayers to mourn Rafeah’s death.

Chef Wan, a close friend of the late singer, said her death was a great loss to the entertainment industry.

He said he had been a loyal friend and still held dear Rafeah’s first album. “She will always be on my mind,” he added.

Rafeah, who was born in Singapore, had wanted to be a singer since her school days but her mother had objected, preferring her to become a religious teacher instead.

Rafeah had secretly wished to follow the footsteps of her father, a former musician. Without her mother’s knowledge, she took part in singing competitions and joined a singing group in her Kampung Pisang village.

Recording offers and radio stints poured in, her forte being langgam and asli music. She sang and later also wrote lyrics.

Over a career spanning two decades, Rafeah released 20 albums with different companies. Twelve were recorded with EMI Malaysia.

Among her popular albums were Ada Yang Cemburu, Citaku, Kau Akan Mengerti, Lagumu Temanku, Jarinya Merah, Itulah Harinya, Menanti Hujan Teduh and, Potrait Seorang Biduanita.

Arguably her most popular song was Si Dia. Other popular numbers were Bisikan Hati, Pesan Bonda, Kenangan Di Rantau Abang, Don Juan, Udang Sama Udang and Disebut Jangan, Dikenang Jangan.

Although from Singapore, Rafeah was proud of her Pahang “roots” and showed this by recording a whole album, Bingkisan Dari Pahang, which she dedicated to Pahang folk.

Walinong Sari, one of the beautiful traditional Pahang songs, was included in this album.

She was awarded the title “Penyanyi Sepanjang Zaman” for her contribution to the music industry.

Rafeah, who was a columnist in a Malay magazine, wrote a poignant piece about the tragedy involving her son.

She also wrote a book entitled Kain Tenun Pahang on the Pahang weaving industry.

Rafeah had also been active in politics and community work. At the time of her death she was the deputy head of the Pekan Wanita Umno division and the Sultan Abu Bakar State Museum deputy chairman, among others.