Yesterday, Pemenang president Mohd Yussof Latiff said the Tourism and Culture Ministry had agreed with the proposal.

The association is now awaiting the official announcement.

He said the government had earlier declared May 29 which was the date of P Ramlee’s demise in 1973 as National Artiste Day, and to be celebrated with various kinds of entertainment.

“We think it is not appropriate to celebrate the day the country’s acting legend died with entertainment and so on,” Yussof told a press conference here today.

Meanwhile, Yussof said in conjunction with P Ramlee’s 88th birthday, the association would create a special award in his name at a local university to commemorate his contributions.

“It is an effort of Pemenang and Penang P Ramlee Fans Club to ensure the people remember and appreciate the contributions of P Ramlee in the field of acting, singing and film,” he said.

Yussof said P Ramlee was also a son of Penang who is a national and international icon for producing films which featured every race in the country.