Jay Jay Laid To Rest At Bukit Tandang Muslim Cemetery

PETALING JAYA, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Popular 70s singer Jay Jay, whose real name was Mohd Fauzi Darus, was laid to rest at 11.15 am today at the Bukit Tandang Muslim Cemetery, Jalan PJS5/1.

Earlier, the remains of the former Carefree lead vocalist were taken to Masjid Al-Husna in Sunway for bathing and shrouding, followed by a funeral prayer attended by around 200 people, led by mosque manager Wan Muhammad Izzat Kamal.

The remains were then transported to the cemetery at approximately 10.50 am for the burial, which was attended by family members, relatives, friends, and fellow artists including Datuk Hattan, Aris Ariwatan, Zamani, Datuk S Atan, Rozita Rohaizad, and Datuk M. Nasir.

The deceased’s wife, Zaitoon Wahid, 61, revealed that Jay Jay had suffered organ complications after undergoing heart bypass surgery in May. He was 67.

“He passed away peacefully. Alhamdulillah, the children were all with him when he breathed his last at Thompson Hospital Kota Damansara.

“We are deeply saddened by his passing, but we accept it as fate,” Zaitoon said when met here today.

The singer's younger sister, Puan Seri Melor Wati Darus, 65, described Jay Jay as a virtuous, loving, and gentle person towards his family.

Meanwhile, singer Datuk Hattan said that Jay Jay made significant contributions to the country's music industry and his passing is a great loss for the industry.

“He was indeed a legend. From the time we first heard Carefree’s songs in 1978, our interest in them has not waned. Many of the songs I sang during school singing contests were Carefree’s. He truly is a legend,” Hattan said.

“His contributions are immense. The deceased was a pioneer of the pop-band era in Malaysia. When the band trend peaked, Carefree’s name was synonymous with success. Despite this, he remained remarkably humble and highly respectful towards others. My utmost respect for him,” Hattan told Bernama.

On May 23, Jay Jay underwent successful heart bypass surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN) after being admitted two days earlier due to a mild heart attack and shortness of breath.

In his heyday, Jay Jay won several prestigious awards, including Most Popular Male Singer at the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPH) in 1988, Best Male Vocal at the Anugerah Industri Muzik in 1998, and Best Pop Rock Song at the Juara Lagu 1998 for ‘Joget Angan Tak Sudah.’

Jay Jay began his singing career with Carefree in 1979 and embarked on a solo career in 1984.

-- BERNAMA