Jamil Sulong

Jamil Sulong
Born
Jamil bin Sulong

(1926-08-06)August 6, 1926
Parit Sulong, Johor, Malaya British (now part of Malaysia)
DiedSeptember 25, 2014(2014-09-25) (aged 88)
Bukit Utama, Damansara
OccupationsActor, film director
Years active1951–2008[nota 1]
Organizations
  • ASAS '50
  • Ikatan Persuratan Melayu (IPM)
  • PERSAMA
Spouse
Puan Hj. Rosnani Jamil
(m. 1953⁠–⁠2008)
Children4

Jamil Sulong (6 August 1926 – 25 September 2014) was a Malaysian actor, film director and scriptwriter. Known as a native from Parit Sulong, Johor. He wrote and directed many films under Malay Film Productions (MFP) during his long career until his retirement in 2008.[1] He is noted in the Malay cinema for his longevity and passion.[2]

He died due to a common cold at the age of 88 on 25 September 2014 after visiting his grandchildren in Damansara.[3]

Early life

He was the son of Sulong Mansor and Timun Manang. Sulong only attended Elementary School while living in the village. Later he showed interest in drawing comic books and writing musical lyrics in his youth days. In the late 1940s, he organized penulis ASAS '50 in Singapura and Melaka together with his longtime friend: Usman Awang, Yusof Harun, and Mokhtar Yasin.[1]

Filmmaking career

At first, Sulong worked in Malay Film Productions as an English and other language translator around 1948. He later became assistant director in 1951. In his early days of filmmaking, he was outshined by other Malaysian newcomer filmmakers at time, such as A.R. Tompel and P. Ramlee.[1] His first directed film was Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup in 1959. Sulong is widely known for his role as the first Malaccan Sultan, Parameswara/Iskandar Syah in many Malaysian series during the 1960s and 70s.

His first colore TV film was Permintaan Terakhir in 1975, starring famous actress of the time- Uji Rashid.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year Role Credit Character Note
Director Assistant director Scriptwriter Audio editor Actor
1952 Lupa Daratan Debut
Miskin
1953 Hati Iblis
1954 Pawang
1956 Penarek Becha N/a
Hang Tuah Dialogue N/a
1957 Kaseh Sayang N/a
Mogok N/a
1958 Kaki Kuda N/a
1959 Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup N/a
Raja Laksamana Bentan N/a
1960 Isi Neraka Story Malaccan Sultan Peak career
Lela Manja Story N/a
1961 Si Tanggang Story N/a
Sri Tanjung Story N/a
1962 Gerhana Story N/a
Lubalang Daik Story N/a
1963 Darah Muda Story N/a
Budi dan Dosa Story N/a
1964 Mambang Moden Story N/a
1965 Bidasari Story N/a
Dayang Senandong N/a
1966 Kacha Permata N/a
Gerak Kilat N/a
1967 Jebak Maut Story N/a
1968 Raja Bersiong N/a
Lain Jalan Ka-Shorga N/a
1969 Sopan Santun Makan Bersuap N/a
1970 Dr. Rushdi Dialogue N/a
1975 Permintaan Terakhir N/a
Jiwa Remaja Senikata Father of Anita and Yusof
1976 Sayang Anakku Sayang Rahman adoptive father
Cinta dan Lagu Marriage officiant Last act
1979 Dendang Perantau N/a
Tuan Badul Story N/a
1981 Jejak Bertapak N/a
1983 Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan N/a
1984 Jasmin Story N/a
1985 Sepi Itu Indah N/a
1989 Sumpahan Mahsuri Story N/a
1995 Kecil-Kecil Cili Api N/a
1998 Raja Melewar N/a Last direct film
2004 Bicara Hati N/a
2022 Showtime 1958 N/a Posthumous (some of written script)

Personal life

Aside from filmmaking, Sulong was also an active poet and comic book artist. In 2008, his wife Rosnani Jamil died. Sulong also announced his retirement from all work in the same year.[5] Together they had three children. Arjunaidi Sulong, Anwardi Sulong and Asnadi Sulong, who lived in New Jersey, United States and were known to have married a woman there. Sulong also have one adopted daughter, Puan Murniati Jamil.

Death

After visiting his grandchildren, Sulong suddenly collapsed due to a common cold. He died on 25 September 2014. His funeral was attended by several of his junior actors: Erma Fatima, Aziz M. Osman, Bade Hj. Azmi, and Harun Salim Bachik.[6][3][7]

Notes

  1. ^ His popular book is "Jamil Sulong: Warisan dan Wawasan" and "Kaca Permata : Memoir Seorang Pengarang" published by DBP on 2008.

References

  1. ^ a b c Jamil Sulong: Warisan dan Wawasan. DBP. 2008. p. 387. ISBN 9789836297099.
  2. ^ Jaaffar, Johan (2025-07-06). "Jamil Sulong dan Puisi-Puisinya: Tiada Kata Secantik Bahasa - Seni Malaya". Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  3. ^ a b "Datuk Jamil Sulong meninggal dunia". Utusan Malaysia. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  4. ^ "The Golden Age of Malay Cinema: 1947–1972". biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  5. ^ Eriandi (2016-08-15). "Dato' Rosnani Jamil, Legenda Film Malaysia Berdarah Minang". Harian Singgalang (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  6. ^ "Pengarah filem Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan, Datuk Jamil Sulong meninggal dunia". Astro Awani. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  7. ^ "Datuk Jamil Sulong meninggal dunia". The Star. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.