National laureate Kemala passes away at 80

Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, RAHIMY RAHIM and TARRENCE TAN

PETALING JAYA: National laureate Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamal Abdullah, or known by his pseudonym Kemala (pic), has died at the age of 80 at his son’s house in Damansara here yesterday.

National Writers Association (Pena) president Dr Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad said his remains were taken to the Surau As Shahabah, in Kota Damansara and buried at the Section 9 Muslim Cemetery after Asar prayer.