Iconic film director Jamil Sulong passed away last night at 9.35pm in Bandar Utama.
Jamil, who was 88, had been in a coma since late August, after suffering a stroke.
His son, Anwardi Jamil, said in a Facebook post that Jamil would be laid to rest this morning in Janda Baik, Pahang.
The solat jenazah for Jamil was undertaken at the Al-Ghufran mosque in Pinggiran Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 9.30am this morning. His remains are to be interred in Pahang after Friday prayers today.
Born in Parit Sulong, Johor, in 1926, Jamil Sulong’s illustrious career in film began in Singapore’s Malay Film Productions. There, he was given the reins to his directorial debut, the classic Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup in 1957. Jamil’s ouvre includes other iconic Malay movies such as Si Tangggang, Lela Manja, Raja Bersiong, and Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan. He was also well-known as a gifted lyricist, and wrote for the memorable movie showtunes ‘Berkorban Apa Saja’, ‘Tiru Macam Saya’, and ‘Azizah’. He even wrote the lyrics to the ubiquitous festive song ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’.
Jamil’s work ethic earned him the respect of his peers and he was the second-most prolific filmmaker of his generation, whose volume of work was surpassed only by the venerable P Ramlee.
Jamil leaves behind his wife of 60 years, screen legend Rosnani Jamil (also known as Mak Nani), and three sons.
