Lai Meng is no more

‘Empat Sekawan’ actress passes away following a stroke. She was 90.

PETALING JAYA: Empat Sekawan actress Datuk Lai Meng (pic) has passed away.

The veteran entertainer, whose real name is Lai Kwai Yoon, was admitted to hospital a few days ago after suffering a stroke. Her condition was said to have improved.

However, she passed away on Sunday night. She was 90.

Lai had been making public appearances in a wheelchair ever since she had a fall last year.

The nonagenarian is best remembered for her role in Empat Sekawan, the long-running family-oriented series, which aired for two decades on RTM since 1966.

The veteran actress received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Malaysia Golden Global Awards in 2017.

At age 81, she received a nomi- nation for best supporting actress at Taiwan’s 45th Golden Horse Awards for Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo’s movie Money No Enough 2 (2008). Lai has also appeared in other Singaporean films like Ah Long Pte Ltd (2008), Love Matters (2009) and Where Got Ghost? (2009).

For her contributions to the local entertainment scene, Lai was awarded the AMN by the King in 1978, and in 2013, she was awarded the title of ‘Datuk’ by the Sultan of Pahang.

She announced her farewell to the performing arts scene in a Tribute To Datuk Lai Meng Retirement Gala Dinner on Jan 27, 2018. The event was attended by hundreds of artistes as well as her many friends from the entertainment industry.

Lai leaves behind daughter Yap Yee Mih, son Yap Meow Chook and godson Bjarne Wong.