It turned out to be the great pianist, composer, arranger, orchestra leader and performer Ooi Eow Jin, 86, and his wife, Elaine Khaw Lean Kee, 84.

Ooi was suffering from severe Alzheimer’s and bedridden. Elaine had no source of income, no next of kin, and visits from well-wishers were scarce.

According to the club’s post on Facebook, its members quickly raised more than RM10,000 for Ooi’s medication and the couple’s household expenses.

“Effusive with her words of thanks, Datin Elaine shared how when hope was almost lost, along came blessed hands to give her some light,” read the post.

To be sure, many people and organisations, including FMT, have rallied to Ooi’s aid since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015 by raising funds and holding charity events.

But over the years, Elaine found it hard to keep up with the medical bills and other expenses, and had to rely on donors to maintain her husband’s wellbeing and a livelihood.

The light dimmed yesterday for Elaine following Ooi’s death which has robbed Malaysia of a musical master with a serene self-belief.

From her husband’s battle with Alzheimer’s to her 58-year-old son Chin Seng’s passing from a brain tumour five years later, and once selling cookies to buy medication, Elaine has endured great hardship.

Yet, she showed great dedication in taking care of both the disabled men, together with a caregiver.

Chin Seng was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 14, and only in 2020 underwent surgery that was paid for with donations from the public.

Elaine yesterday reiterated her gratitude to the donors for their generosity that had given her strength to provide the best for her husband and son.

She said: “People from all walks of life loved my husband who made music as beautiful as his soul. He was a true people person, who knew how to reach, teach and challenge us.”

Ooi’s mark on Malay music

In his illustrious six decades in the local music industry, Ooi stamped his mark on Malay music, composing many popular songs performed by famous artistes.

They include 1970s hit songs, Dahlan Zainuddin’s “Lagu Ku Untukmu”, Sudirman Arshad’s “Teriring Doa” and “Gerimis Di Lautan”, and Rahimah Rahim’s “Jika Begini” and “Hati Yang Rapuh”.

Rahimah’s songs have been used as background tunes for television dramas in the past.

Ooi was the producer of an album by Rafeah Buang in 1981, composing two songs, “Joget Sayang Kekasih” and “Teman Menangis Sukar Di Cari”.

He had also collaborated with other celebrated entertainers like P Ramlee, M Nasir, Salamiah Hassan, Frances Yip and the Alleycats.

In the 1972 Bakat TV finals at Dewan Tunku Canselor Universiti Malaya, Ooi was one of the judges along with the late P Ramlee, and the presence of both the giants of entertainment gave the talent show a big boost.

An undated picture of both men posing as uniformed personnel continues to be shared on social media.

Ooi would go on to become one of the music maestros at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) together with Alfonso Soliano, Johari Salleh and Ahmad Nawab.

Becoming the ‘Piano Man’

Ooi had his early education at Wellesley and Westlands primary schools before going to Penang Free School. He became a temporary teacher at Li Tek Chinese school before joining the survey department as a clerk.

He studied classical piano for four years before venturing into pop music, playing music part-time with his band in Penang.

While playing music at the E&O Hotel, Soliano, attracted by his talent, offered him the opportunity to play with the RTM Orchestra.

Ooi was a member of the RTM Orchestra from 1963 to 1983, as a composer and songwriter, before moving a year later to TV3 where he created theme songs for various local programmes.

He then served at Institut Teknologi Mara (now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting, Yamaha Music School, International College of Music, Universiti Putra Malaysia, as well as the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara).

Even as his health was failing, he continued to perform to meet his son’s medical bills. He was the resident pianist at Kuala Lumpur’s Majestic Hotel for five years until the illness forced him to quit in 2015.

In the same year, he was made a Datuk by the Penang governor and when asked by the media how he felt about getting the award, he said he was grateful that his music had been given recognition.

Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez, in paying tribute to Ooi, said: “Thank you for the music my friend. You have left many good memories for all of us, which we will cherish forever.”

National artistes welfare foundation (YKAT) president DJ Dave said Ooi’s works had immensely helped develop the national music scene.

“His services to Malaysian music have been tremendous, and his role in Malay music has been inspiring,” he added.