Composer Johan Nawawi dies

KUALA LUMPUR: Composer Johan Nawawi died at a medical centre in Subang Jaya yesterday.

The death was confirmed by his wife, who is also a singer, Nora Ariffin, 44, who said that Johan, 52, breathed his last at about 6.30 am.

The body would be taken to the Ar-Rahman Mosque in Kampung Tunku, Jalan SS 1/33, Petaling Jaya, after Friday prayers.

Throughout his career, Johan was active in composing songs including those for his wife such as 'Desa Tercinta', 'Naluri' and 'Samudera'.

Johan's body was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery after the Friday prayer.

The atmosphere at the cemetery was solemn with hundreds of family members, relatives and friends, as well as colleagues in the entertainment industry, gathered there to pay their last respects.

Johan's son, Mohd Syakir Iman, 24, described his father as a friendly and apologetic person and the best father one could have.

"He is friendly with the neighbours and always reminded us to never neglect our obligation to perform the prayers, no matter how busy we are," he said when met at the cemetery.

He said Johan always made time for the family no matter how busy he was.

Asked the cause of Johan's death, Mohd Syakir Iman said his father complained of chest pain and lethargic and was admitted to a medical centre in Subang Jaya on Thursday night.

Singer Nabil Zamanhuri, 29, regarded Johan's demise as a huge loss to the music industry.