His son, Shamsul Salim, said his father had requested that after his death his songs should not be played for at least 30 days or up to 44 days.

“We hope that the radio and TV stations do not play his songs for at least seven to 10 days.

“Nevertheless, it is left to them to determine what is best for the late SM Salim and the public in general,” he told reporters at his residence here.

He said the matter was subjective because most of his father’s works were part of the broadcast media’s archives.

SM Salim died at 5.44pm Thursday at his residence here. He was 88.

He will be laid to rest at the Muslim Cemetery in Jalan Ampang here after Friday prayers, according to his grandniece Elyna Ali.

The funeral prayers will be held at the Kampung Baru Jamek Mosque here at 10.30am.

SM Salim, whose real name is Sheikh Salim Sheikh Muhammad Al Mahros, began his career as a singer in the 1950s and was a passionate advocate of Malay classical songs.