KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actress Anita Jaafar died today at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bandar Tun Razak. She was 71.
Her daughter Farina Jervoso told Berita Harian Online that she died at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital at 10.55am, after 21 days in a coma.
Farina said that her mother was admitted to hospital on Nov 23 with a gallbladder rupture, and developed complications which caused doctors to place her under an induced coma.
"Her condition deteriorated since then, and she died without regaining consciousness," said Farina, adding that her mother died with family members at her bedside.
Anita, who is survived by nine children, 13 grandchildren and a great-grandchild, was popular in the 1970s and appeared in films as Malaysia 5, Detik 12 Malam, Penyamun Si Bongkok, Boneka Permata, Kelana and Semambu Kuning, as well as the 1977 Italian film The Last Cannibal World directed by Ruggero Deodato.
Anita is the daughter of veteran actress R Suriani and veteran editor Jaafar Mohd Ali.
Her remains have been brought to Masjid Taman Kosas, Ampang and she will be laid to rest at a nearby Islamic cemetery after Asar prayers.