Before we had the internet, we used to turn to the TV, books and radio for entertainment. Older folks may remember tuning in on the radio for some really great shows, especially a certain “Empat Sekawan” program which was warm, friendly and full of laughs. Unfortunately, one of the members of the program has passed.
Many have fondly remembered veteran Malaysian actress Hon Yit Sin (韩瑛) for her work on the show with Datuk Lai Kwai Yoon (黎桂润). However, “Empat Sekawan” and her other works have now become her legacy. The actress passed away in her sleep yesterday (4th September) at the age of 100.
Yit Sin’s family confirmed her passing yesterday when they checked on her around 6 or 7 in the morning. At the time, the actress had been staying in Raub. According to her grandson, she had passed away peacefully in her sleep. He shared that Yit Sin had been treated for high blood pressure and a small stroke a few years ago, before her passing. “Luckily, there were no major problems,” he added.
The grandson mentioned that Yit Sin’s condition had been declining since the end of 2021. “But she was able to move (around) before her death. She was not completely immobile in bed,” he reportedly told China Press. In recent years, the actress lived in Kuala Lumpur with her granddaughter. However, she would return to Raub occasionally for a month.
Yit Sin had started her career in entertainment when she formed a Getai group with her friends, Datuk Lai Kwai Yoon, and two others. They became popular with their witty and humorous rendition of the “Tofu Song (豆腐歌)”. Shortly afterwards, the quartet joined a radio station and took the nation by storm with their “Empat Sekawan” program. It became so popular that they eventually made it into a TV show. Yit Sin later became a film and television actress and was part of Malaysia’s first Chinese film “有求必应”.
The actress has never had a bad time with her co-workers. She often spoke fondly of her friends and mentioned she enjoyed spending time with them. Her grandson too remembers her fondly. “She (was) a capable, independent and wise woman,” he said. “We were fortunate enough to have her as a family member.”
Yit Sin’s wake will be held today at the Sungai Besi Nirvana Memorial Center. Her funeral will be held two days from now on 7th September at 10am. Our hearts go out to her family and friends. May they find peace in her passing.
