KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran singer-actress Liza Abdullah, 60, revealed that her late music mentor Datuk S Atan met his widow Datin Norizan Yeob with her help.
In a Harian Metro report yesterday, Liza who is best known for playing "cruel stepmother" Mak Leha in the drama series 7 Hari Mencintaiku, said that she and Atan had been friends since the 1980s.
"I started my career singing his songs, and he was a great sifu whom I grew to respect as a dear friend over the years," she said.
Liza added that Norizan was also her close friend and when they paid a visit to Atan's home city Singapore for work purposes, he got acquainted with his future wife.
"Indirectly, I introduced him to his wife. In fact, he introduced me to my ex-husband Zolkifli Abdul Rahman too."
Liza described Atan, who died at the age of 75 last Saturday, as one of Malaysia's and Singapore's foremost Malay music maestros and a mentor to many great singers.
"His demise is a major loss to both Malaysia and Singapore, and we should all honour him accordingly," said Liza, who described Atan as a father figure in her life.
Liza described Atan as a "fearsome disciplinarian" at work, but a dear friend outside the studio.
"He deeply cared for all of his proteges and kept in touch with them over the years. He will be missed by all."