#SHOWBIZ: Ameng: Iskandar was the real star of Spring, not me
KUALA LUMPUR: The lead singer of Malaysian rock band Spring, Ameng, has shared that his late bandmate, Iskandar, was truly the star of their music group, not least because he was one of its founders.
Iskandar's good looks also played a significant role, drawing in a large female fanbase.
Ameng, whose full name is Wan Aminuddin Wan Ismail, 56, revealed in an interview with Harian Metro yesterday that Iskandar established Spring in 1987.
He was widely known among rock fans for his friendly, humble, and sociable nature.
"He was so good at communicating with our fans that he often became our unofficial spokesman," said Ameng, who described Iskandar's death yesterday as a profound loss for Malaysian rock music.
Ameng fondly recalled that in Spring's early days, Iskandar was the focus of much adoration, particularly from female fans, who would cheer for him so enthusiastically that he often had to be quickly escorted backstage by his fellow musicians.
"He was the hunk of Spring and its main attraction; I merely sang," Ameng said.
Ameng also recounted the poignant final moments of his friend's life, as told to him by Iskandar's widow, Nur Hidayah Cecilia.
"Iskandar asked his wife to read him holy verses from the Quran to help him sleep. Sadly, he passed away at 1.30am," said Ameng, who had been Iskandar's schoolmate at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tengku Mahmud in Besut, Terengganu.
"After he got married, Iskandar moved to Miri, Sarawak, as his wife is from there. Despite the distance, we always kept in touch over the years," Ameng added.
"He and his wife opened a cafe in Miri, and their business was doing well. Unfortunately, he became very ill about a year ago."
Iskandar, whose full name was Tengku Raden Iskandar Tengku Ismail, passed away in his sleep in Miri following a long illness.
He had been suffering from a kidney ailment, diabetes, and had also experienced a stroke.
Iskandar is survived by his wife and three sons.
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