PETALING JAYA, June 21 — The remains of the popular singer of the 1980s, Rohana Jalil whose real name is Dara Abdul Jalil, were laid to rest at the Islamic Cemetery USJ 22, near here, at 11.45am today.

Rohana is survived by her husband, Jehangir Khan, 66, and three daughters, including singer, Shakila Nisha or better known as Kilafairy, 30.

Jehangir said Rohana died at 11.33pm last night at the age of 68 after a two-month battle with colorectal cancer at the Tuanku Muhriz Chancellor’s Hospital (HCTM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

"Her illness started when her intestines suffered a leakage. She underwent two surgeries and it was during the second surgery that the doctors confirmed and diagnosed her with stage-four cancer,” he said, adding that chemotherapy could not be done as Rohana’s condition was unstable and weak.

Jehangir, nevertheless, considered himself lucky and very blessed to have had such a good wife throughout his life.

Meanwhile, Kilafairy said she was there when her mother breathed her last.

"Although deeply saddened, we have to accept the passing of our beloved mother as fate,” she said.

Describing her mother as a fighter, Kilafairy said her mother never gave up on what she believed in, including in music and singing, and her fighting spirit was evident especially when she was sick and this was also confirmed by her doctors.

"She taught me to never give up. So, in the name of my mother, I will not give up music and singing. God willing, I will continue her legacy,” she said.

Kilafairy said her mother often advised her to be generous and to give priority to siblings and it is something she lives by until today.

Among the celebrities who attended the funeral were Rohana’s good friends Jaafar Onn, Azizul Khamis, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, Noraniza Idris, Datuk Ziela Jalil, as well as actress Fasha Sandha and her husband, Aidil Aziz, Izzara Aishah, Joe Flizzow, Chef Yang Jamil and Azlee Senario.

Throughout her 40 years in showbusiness, Rohana recorded over 20 albums including compilation albums and special projects.

Among her popular staples are Rayuanku, Resahku and Naluri Cinta, a duet with To’ki. — Bernama