BY: IZAL MAHAT

Though he passed away decades ago, veteran Malay actor Tan Sri P. Ramlee is still fondly and affectionately in the memory of fans who consist not only Malays, but Chinese and Indians as well for serenading them while he was alive.

Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh, better known as P. Ramlee, was honored as Seniman Agong or the Great Artist and was a versatile actor, director, musician and composer who shaped the ‘Golden Age’ of Malay cinema.

Probably his most classic film is a comedy called ‘Bujang Lapok’ and his greatest hit song was ‘Getaran Jiwa’ which endeared him to millions of Malaysians and caused his fan base to swell and grow overwhelmingly.

P. Ramlee was also well known abroad and won the Best Actor award for Asia at the Tokyo Asia-Pacific Film Festival in 1957 bringing cheer to Malayans in the year of Merdeka and warming the heart of Bapa Kemerdekaan, Tunku Abdul Rahman

He repeated this feat for Malaysians in the year of the formation of Malaysia in 1963 when, despite the odds stacked against him, he won the Most Versatile Talent award at the Asian Film Festival which caused him to become known outside the country.

Now his fans, scattered all over the world, are hoping the panel of judges that awards titles will duly present to His Majesty the Yang Di Pertuan Agong for P. Ramlee to posthumously be awarded the Tunship in a fitting tribute to a great Malaysian entertainer.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher