I am sure you have read all the reports and articles of Yasmin Ahmad's passing, including the eulogies and obits. Here's my personal take.
Yasmin Ahmad (July 1, 1958 - July 25, 2009)
Directed: of Rabun (2003), Sepet (2004), Gubra (2006), Mukhsin (2007), Muallaf (2008), Talentime (2009)
Heard the news of Yasmin's demise at 11.25pm Saturday night shortly before midnight.
Took the first flight out on Tiger Airways at 7.20am, however it promtly departed at 7.15am when all the passengers were on board. We were told the journey would take 40 mins, but due to bad weather, 3/4 of the ride was bumpy!
My ride. First time on budget...

After a 40min cab ride which cost RM52.50 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, my traveling mate (she was the PR person for the Cathay cinema group) and me finally arrived at Masjid Abu Bakar As Siddiq in Subang Jaya SS19/7A at 9.20am. Since it was early and the hearse had yet to arrive, the compound was fairly empty.

Side view

By late morning, more than 500 well wishes had shown up. They comprised of a good ethnic mix of former colleagues, friends, fans, local filmmakers as well as entire casts and crew of her previous films.
We were divided into males and females, who had to sit on different sides outside the mosque. Then further sub-divided into Muslims and non-Muslims. All females were given headscarves called tudong (hijab) to cover our hair. Man it was warm and stuffy and scatchy...my first Muslim funeral proper. I had been to Thai, Catholic, Christian, Taoist and Buddhist services in the past but this was to be my maiden Muslim service.
We were allowed a good view of her covered corpse before she was being sent on her way after the service. Most of us broke down, including a very distraught Yeo Yann Yann, who was cast in Muallaf (2007). I provided my shoulder for her to cry on...
The cortege left for the new Muslim cemetery at USJ22 near Puchong at noon. At 12.15pm, Yasmin's aged parents came on a 4WD driven by her production manager on one of her films. She was laid to rest at 12.40pm.
I only heard later that her mum fainted when she was buried as I was standing at the back of the crowd (too hot to wear the head scarf provided)
It was a dignified and sombre affair. We were allowed to pay our respects to her after the prayers had been said. I wished her well and hoped she had gone to a better place.
The walkway down the burial site

Last prayers in the scorching heat

I think the temperature must've been in the mid 30's Celsius range. We were in the sun for nearly 2 hours. My friends insisted on going without umbrella shade were burnt to a crisp...
Besides the numerous celebs and bigshots of the Malaysian media industry, there were also people in the public who were touched by her warmth and down to earth humanity. I count myself fortunate to be among her circle of friends, even though it was only 6 short years. Yasmin, you shall be greatly missed. There shall be no other like you again, at least not in my lifetime.
It will take some time for us to come to terms with Yasmin not being around anymore. What a year it has been, and its only July. Please God, grant me strength.
Read more in The Passing of a Legend here..
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