Yusnor Ef hailed as 'the quintessential pop lyricist'

Cultural Medallion recipient and Malay music veteran Yusnor Ef died in the early hours of April 16 at the age of 87.

- Eddino Abdul Hadi

His daughter and only child Noreeta Mohamed Noor, 47, tells The Straits Times that he had breathing difficulties at around midnight on April 16 and was taken to Sengkang General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 2am.

He had been battling chronic heart ailments over the last two decades. He leaves behind his wife Jamila Jan, 77, and three grandchildren. He was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Lim Chu Kang on April 16.

The Singaporean musician wrote lyrics for more than 250 songs, including evergreen Malay pop songs from the 1960s and 1970s, and worked with icons such as P. Ramlee and Majulah Singapura composer Zubir Said.

He is also an author and historian who wrote several books on Malay music, and produced documentaries on Malay music for Malaysian television stations.