Malaysian singing legend Tan Sri SM Salim, the singer of classic Malay songs such as Pasir Roboh, Pantun Budi, Kenang Daku Dalam Doamu and Apa Dah Jadi, died at his home in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 29. He was 88.
His son, Shamsul Salim, confirmed the news when contacted by mStar Online (The Star’s Bahasa Malaysia portal) on Thursday evening. SM Salim is survived by his wife, Puan Sri Aisyah Abdul Ghani, seven children, 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Born Sheikh Salim Sheikh Muhammad Mahron on July 30, 1928 in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, SM Salim’s career as a singer began in the early 1950s. SM Salim recalled in a 2014 interview with Berita Harian that he was a badminton player representing Selangor in his youth. One day, he was offered to perform Selamat Tinggal Bungaku for an event. His first singing gig earned him RM5, and that was when he decided to become a singer.