SINGAPORE – Cultural Medallion recipient and Malay music veteran Yusnor Ef died at the age of 87 in the early hours of Apr 16.

His daughter Ms Noreeta Mohamed Noor, 47, tells The Straits Times that her father had breathing difficulties at around midnight on Apr 16 and was brought to Sengkang General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 2am.

He had been battling chronic heart ailments in the last two decades.

As of press time, his body is still at Sengkang General Hospital. Ms Noreeta says that the family is planning to take the body back to their family home at 99 Saraca Terrace, and later to Masjid Sultan for prayers before burial at the Muslim cemetery in Lim Chu Kang.

The Singaporean musician wrote lyrics for over 250 songs, including evergreen Malay pop songs from the 1960s and 1970s, and worked with icons such as P. Ramlee and Majulah Singapura composer Zubir Said.

He is also an author and historian who wrote several books on Malay music, and produced several documentaries on Malay music for Malaysian television stations. He was president and co-founder of Perkamus, the Association of Malay Singers, Composers and Professional Musicians, chairman of the National Arts Council’s Malay Music Development Committee and served on the board of directors of the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass).

Home-grown singer and songwriter Art Fazil, 58, describes Yusnor as “the quintessential pop lyricist” who also made a big impact on the music scene with Perkamus. “Perkamus was set up at the right time when Malay music industry in Singapore needed an organisation to help out with the needs of Malay artists and musicians in Singapore. For example, Perkamus set up music classes for its members and organised concerts and events to promote Singapore music.”

Born Mohamed Noor Mohamed Yusofe, the former Malay language teacher was affectionately known as ‘Cikgu’ (Malay for teacher).

In 2011, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest arts honour. A tribute concert featuring his songs was held at Esplanade Concert Hall in 2013.

At the 2022 Compass Awards, Yusnor and close collaborator Kassim Masdor received the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to nationally renowned individuals who are outstanding musicians and have made continuous contributions to the development and nurturing of local music talent. Kassim died in 2014. At the awards show, their song Aku Dia Dan Lagu won the Top Local Malay Pop So...