Legendary actor Jins Shamsuddin dies

Jins (centre) as Jefri Zain, the Malaysian version of James Bond in the movie "Bayangan Ajal".

PETALING JAYA: Legendary actor Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin died on Wednesday, aged 81.

In a brief statement, the Malaysia Artistes Association said Jins died at the Klinik Idham Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur.

According to his son Putera Hang Jebat, Jins was having a meal at home when he experienced breathing difficulties.

Jins' wife brought him to Klinik Idzham, Taman Melawati, where he died at 5.45pm.

The burial will take place at Masjid Ulu Klang early Thursday.

Born Mohamed Zain Shamsuddin on Nov 5, 1935, the Taiping boy began his career in the 50s under the guidance of another legendary Malaysian artiste, Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

One of his early roles was leading man in the film Pancha Delima (1957), directed by the local icon.

Jins also starred in Sarjan Hassan and acted in many films, including Megat Terawis, Lela Manja, Bukit Kepong and Bukan Salah Ibu Mengandong.

Known as the Malaysian James Bond for his role as charismatic spy Jefri Zain, Jins would later venture into an acclaimed directing career, releasing his award-winning patriotic action film Bukit Kepong in 1981.

Jins wrote the screenplay, produced, directed and acted in the movie, which is based on the historical Bukit Kepong incident. In 1950, 25 people were killed in an effort to protect Bukit Kepong and its civilians from communist attack.

The film picked up seven awards at the Malaysia Film Festival in 1982, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor for Jins.

It received a second release in local cinemas in 2015, thanks to restoration efforts and a digital makeover led by KRU Group's Prodigital Lab.

Jins, who strove for 15 years for an artiste to be appointed to the Dewan Negara, was sworn in as a senator on Oct 13, 2004, making history as the first entertainment celebrity to be a member of the House.

Prior to that, the staunch Barisan Nasional supporter was among the pioneers who sat in the Umno pro tem committee in Singapore in 1960 and was a founding member of its Coronation Road branch.

He continued working and remained active in the film industry well into his 70s, with a supporting role in 2008 film Akhirat and a guest appearance in the 2010 Filipino romance film Miss You Like Crazy.