KUALA LUMPUR: Screen and song legend Tan Sri P. Ramlee's son Sazali always awaits March 22, for that is his father's birthday which is designated as Hari Seniman Negara or National Artistes' Day.
Sazali, 65, said in an interview with Berita Harian today that nothing makes him happier than seeing his father honoured by Malaysians 51 years after his untimely death at the age of 44 in 1973.
"My father would have been 95 this year, and I take this opportunity to thank all Malaysians for remembering his immense contributions to the arts and nation-building," said Sazali.
Hari Seniman Negara was first celebrated on March 22 two years ago when the then Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa announced it.
It was previously celebrated on May 29, the death anniversary of Ramlee.
Ramlee or Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh was born in George Town, Penang on March 22, 1929 which was also the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri that year.
Ramlee starred in 66 films, directed 35 films and composed 250 songs in his 25-year entertainment career.
Sazali said that he was still awaiting an official reply from the government on the extension of royalty payments for his father's works, from 50 to 70 years.
The Copyright Act 1987 states that royalty payments to the heirs of artistes for the usage of their works ends 50 years after their deaths.
"If the extension becomes a reality, I will be very happy, but I am not placing my hopes too high," he said.
After Ramlee's death, his eldest son Nasir who died on Nov 23, 2008 received royalty payments from Music Authors' Copyright Protection (MACP). Sazali received such payments after Nasir's death.