BAGAN DATUK:Having been an artist all his life, in whatever situation, his love for performing on stage has never faded.

More so, after more than five decades of performing on stage to entertain the community, the routine has been like a therapy for an artiste like the country's distinguished singer, Datuk M Daud Kilau.

However, after all the glory and fame, everything seemed to have no meaning for him any more.

Synonymous with the title of Raja Gelek Malaysia, the life of M Daud Kilau has been different lately.

At 82 years of age, the strength of this Bagan Datuk-born artist has been increasingly limited.

His health condition has been deteriorating since 2016 after suffering from urinary complications.

Since then, he has been undergoing tests for other diseases such as diabetes, numbness of the hands and feet in addition to back pain and unstable heart condition.

In fact, the hearing on one side of his ear has also deteriorated and if he wanted to go to the bathroom, he had to be helped by his family members.

"I have not been able to walk much and had to perform prayers on a chair. I depend on medicine and had to go to the Bagan Datuk Health Clinic for a health check-up every two or three months.

"I now spend a lot of time preparing for the afterlife," he said, revealing the test he was going through to a group of journalists who visited him at his residence in Kampung Sungai Balai Baruh, near here, on Wednesday.

M Daud Kilau or his real name Muhammad Daud Kilau who is famous for his song Cek Mek Molek lives with his wife, Datin Rohani Awang Ngah, 63, and a son.

Despite his hardship, M Daud has not forgotten his fans who have been the pillars of his success as a singer.

M Daud, who once won the Bintang Radio singing contest in 1968, said he always prayed his fans were in good condition.

"I pray for longevity for all, and please pray for Daud Kilau to recover soon.

"If I do not recover, it does not matter (but) if I pass on, pray that I will go peacefully and please recite the Al-Fatihah for me,” he said.

Earlier today, M Daud received a visit from the Chairman of the Islamic Religious and Information Committee of Perak, Mohd Akmal Kamarudin, who presented him an initial assistance from the state government.

"We are concerned with the health condition of Datuk M Daud Kilau. Baitulmal will make further examinations to see the form of assistance that will be channelled later," he said.