KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Saleha Abdul Rashid, also known as Salmi Manja, passed away on Tuesday (Dec 26) due to old age. She was a former journalist, poet, novelist, and one of the first professional female authors in Malaysia.
DBP announced her passing in a Facebook post, stating that 87-year-old Saleha, who was the wife of National Laureate Datuk Seri Dr A. Samad Said, died at her home in Subang Jaya. Her son, Helmy Samad, confirmed the news on his Facebook page.
The last rites would be held at the Al-Irsyad Mosque in Subang Jaya, with her burial taking place in the USJ22 Muslim Cemetery following the Isyak prayers, according to her son.
Saleha’s writing focused on women, femininity, and Islam and she was a member of Angkatan Sasterawan ’50 (ASAS 50), the oldest literary organisation in Malaysia. She also authored novels such as Hari Mana Bulan Mana and Sayang Ustazah, as well as anthologies of short stories and poems.- Bernama
