Siti dedicates latest album to her fans

PETALING JAYA: With 11 successful albums to her name, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza has dedicated her latest one to her fans.

Hadiah Daripada Hati, which means “gift from the heart”, was launched in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with the title specially chosen by the singer.

Evergreen star: Siti Nurhaliza speaking to the audience during her album launch in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
“This album is for my fans who have supported me all this while. It comes straight from the heart, and that’s why I chose to name the album as such,” she said.

The album contains 11 tracks with various genres, and features works of composers like Azlan Abu Hassan, Aubrey Suwito, and Singapore’s Dick Lee.

The songs in the album are Ku Mahu, which is the theme song for drama series Spa-Q; Melawan Kesepian; Mulanya Cinta; Tanpa Kalian; Biarkan; Kerana Dirimu; Hati, which is the theme song of the film 1957: Hati Malaya; Wanita; Cintamu; Sutramaya and Sekian Lama.

“I hope my fans will accept this gift of mine to them,” said Siti Nurhaliza, who will leave for Mecca on Dec 13 to perform the haj pilgrimage with her husband Datuk Seri Mohamed Jiwa and her mother Siti Salmah Bachik.

The album is produced by Siti Nurhaliza Productions (M) Sdn Bhd and distributed by Suria Records Sdn Bhd.

It is on sale at music stores nationwide.

At the album launch, Siti Nurhaliza also launched an interactive SMS service, through which fans can download content such as songs, ringtones, and pictures.

Users need only type SN and send to 33777 to access the service, which is being offered by another of her companies, SN Mobile Digital.

"Hadiah Daripada Hati" Siti!

Oleh ZIEMAN

HASRAT hati tidak mahu menghebohkan pemergian ke tanah suci tapi desakan dari peminat dan kawan-kawan karib membuat Datuk Siti Nurhaliza tidak mampu sembunyikan tarikh pemergian.

“Kalau boleh Siti hendak pergi senyap-senyap saja.” kata Siti. (Foto The Star)

“Ramai yang bertanyakan pemergian Siti ke tanah suci. InsyaAllah doakan agar Siti selamat pergi dan pulang. Doakan segala urusan Siti di tanah suci berjalan dengan baik dan lancar.

“Kalau boleh, Siti hendak pergi senyap-senyap saja. Lagipun Siti pergi nak buat ibadah, tak perlu heboh…,” kata penyanyi yang bakal menunaikan rukun Islam yang kelima bersama suaminya Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamed Jiwa, bonda Siti Salmah Bachik dan abangnya Ayie pada 13 Disember ini.

Tambahnya lagi, “Semoga setiap seorang daripada kita akan diberikan kelapangan untuk menjejakkan kaki ke Mekah.”

Namun, penyanyi yang cukup popular di rantau Asean ini terpaksa melunaskan berbagai perkara terlebih dahulu sebelum berangkat pergi.

Banyak urusan yang perlu dibereskan seperti menjalankan tanggungjawab sebagai Duta Pantene di mana Siti perlu menjayakan program “Mencari Bintang Pantene” selama tiga hari bermula Disember 1 hingga 3 di Jakarta dan Surabaya.

Sekembali dari sana, Siti akan mengambil bahagian dalam Konsert Jom Heboh TV3 pula pada 9 Disember.

Ramai yang sudah maklum pertaruhan Siti dalam lagu kategori etnik berjudul ‘Bisakah’ gagal mara ke peringkat akhir Juara Lagu 2007 sementara sebuah lagi rock genre pop rock dendangannya pula “Destinasi Cinta” berjaya melayakkan diri.

Jika ditanya apa komennya, penyanyi yang semakin matang menjawab soalan sensasi ini hanya tergelak kecil.

“Adat bertanding macam tulah. Hari ini kita menang, besok kita kalah. Siti tahu ada peminat Siti yang hampa tapi apa boleh buat?

“Siti sudah berikan yang terbaik untuk setiap lagu dan persembahan Siti. Jika ada rezeki di Juara Lagu, adalah. Tetapi jika lagu tersebut gagal mendapat tempat, masih banyak lagi misi Siti dalam bidang seni yang perlu diteruskan di hadapan ini. Siti tidak rasa kecewa,” katanya lagi.

Album baru Siti juga khabarnya akan menjengah tidak lama lagi. Album yang dinanti-nantikan oleh peminat setianya sudahpun diberi judul “Hadiah Daripada Hati”.

Album “Hadiah Daripada Hati” akan dipasarkan pada
minggu kedua bulan depan

Menurut Siti, album ini sudah hampir siap pembikinannya dan menurut jangkaan akan dipasarkan pada minggu kedua bulan Disember ini.

“Harap-harap semuanya berjalan lancar dan album ini dapat menambat hati semua. Siti telah berusaha memberikan semampu baik dan terpulanglah kepada semua untuk menilainya nanti,” kata penyanyi bersuara merdu itu lagi.

Ada gabungan komposer lama dan baru, komposer dalam dan luar negara dan pelbagai rentak lagu dimuatkan dalam album tersebut.

Antara yang terlibat ialah Audi Mok, Aubrey Suwito, Azlan Abu Hassan, Pongky, Cynthia, Taufik, Fahmi dan komposer dari Singapura, Dick Lee yang terlibat secara langsung dalam pementasan teater muzikal “P.Ramlee” di Istana Budaya tempoh hari.

Ini merupakan album solo ke 12 Siti dan tajuk “Hadiah Daripada Hati” sememangnya dipilih oleh Siti sendiri.

“Siti tujukan album ini khas untuk peminat-peminat Siti yang sekian lama menyokong perjuangan seni Siti. Ianya lahir dari dalam hati Siti, sebab itu tajuknya sedemikian,” kata penyanyi kelahiran Kuala Lipis, Pahang ini.

“Ada kelainan yang diperbuat daripada nyanyian dan komposisi dan maksud lirik yang pelbagai. Harapan Siti, peminat-peminat akan bersedia menerima kehadiran “Hadiah Daripada Hati”‘ dengan hati yang lapang,” jelasnya lagi.

Dua buah single yang sedang hangat dipertaruhkan sekarang ialah Ku Mahu ciptaan Audy Mok dan Melawan Kesepian ciptaan Pongky.

“Hanya ini saja cenderahati untuk peminat setia Siti. Setiap kali Siti buat album baru, kesetiaan peminat yang mengharapkan sesuatu yang istimewa menjadi pembakar semangat untuk berbuat sesuatu yang lain dari yang lain…,” kata Ratu Pop Malaysia yang masih popular ini.

Cartoon Siti acts as online envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: Riding on the fame of top local singer Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Tourism Malaysia has introduced an online female cartoon character named Siti who will provide basic information on Malaysia to travellers via the Internet.

All that tourists need to do is to add sitimalaysia@hotmail.com as their MSN contact. They will then be able to “chat” with Siti about attractive tourist destinations through the MSN messenger.

Tourism director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said Siti had gone online following the success of her introduction as part of Tourism Malaysia’s advertising campaign in Japan in the last quarter of 2005.

Then, Siti only appeared in conventional media, including television commercials, flyers and pamphlets, during tourism campaigns as well as exhibitions.

“Riding on our success today, we want to move forward and reach more target audience,” he told reporters at the launch of Malaysia Windows Live Agent – Siti here yesterday.

“In Japan, Siti was well received as the Japanese are fond of cartoon characters. This is the first time we are introducing Siti online.”

Asked whether the cartoon character was named after Siti Nurhaliza, Mirza said: “Siti is a familiar name. It was not specifically named after her but it did take into account Siti Nurhaliza’s popularity in Japan.”

He said there had been a slight growth in travellers from Japan since the campaign was launched three years ago.

Japanese tourists visiting Malaysia have increased by 4.2% from 340,027 in 2005 to 354,213 the following year.

From January to July this year, tourist arrivals increased to 211,633 compared to 193,463 during the corresponding period in 2006, which is an increase of 9.4%.

Asked how many languages could Siti communicate in, Mirza said she was only tailored to communicate in English at the moment.

“If it can attract more people from other foreign countries, we will consider adding other languages,” he said, adding that currently travellers could also get information on Malaysia in their own languages through their respective countries’ tourism satellite site links.

Not just background music

The subliminal music score is another noteworthy aspect of the historical drama 1957 Hati Malaya. Meet the person responsible for it.

1957 Hati Malaya is Sharon Paul’s first local movie project. She has previously worked with film composers in America.
THE current movie 1957 Hati Malaya should be appreciated not just for its historical values but its music that is subtle yet uplifting.

While the visual effects (shooting techniques, period costumes, and not to mention the odd pretty actress!) naturally draw the most attention, connoisseurs of soundtracks are certain to sit up and take note of the film’s impressive score.

Although the musical highlights appear to be Datuk Siti Nurhaliza’s stirring rendition of Hati, and Perlu Kamu, which is sung by Indonesian Kris Dayanti and Ajai, who also co-wrote the song, the orchestral score does warrant equal attention.

Just who is behind the music that’s so crucial to the first ever movie – helmed by the renowned director Shuhaimi Baba – that recounts the struggles that led to Malaysia’s independence 50 years ago?

The person is Sharon Paul and chances are, you may not have heard of her. My recent interview with the soundtrack composer is the first she’s ever granted.

Naturally, I start off with the insensitive comment that most orchestral soundtracks sound quite similar!

“I feel I do stand out,” states the graduate of the famed Berkelee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, who has also spent two years in Los Angeles working for film composers Daniel Licht (who did the score for Hellraiser IV) and Stephen Klong. “No one here does orchestral scoring quite like I do, because I write very complete parts for the orchestra.”

Despite her confidence, Paul did experience frustrations while working on the soundtrack of Hati Malaya, her first local feature-length project. “Don’t get me wrong. I would have liked to have more freedom to choose exactly what music I felt suited the movie and how my score blended with the footage and dialogue. But any artistic collaboration, especially one of this scale, means that everyone has to sacrifice a little of their original vision,” Paul explains.

So what was her original musical vision for the movie?

“My intention was to have a lot of traditional ethnic music, but Shuhaimi was very clear that she did not want the soundtrack to come across as too ethnic. She wanted a sweeping orchestral score, not something too folky and traditional. Still, we did take Western elements and offset them with Chinese and Malay sounds,” she reveals.

Paul also utilised a trick common in classical music by employing one melodic theme for (Umno founder) Datuk Onn Jaafar and another for (first Prime Minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman. “Actually towards the end of the creative process I was influenced by the Gladiator soundtrack.

“It’s a movie about struggle and sacrifice and I wanted the music to reflect that. In the end I would have to say that I’m happy on a purely musical level, but I would also have liked to mix the music more prominently.”

Indeed, one can see that there are a number of stages during which Paul would have had to compromise. For example, only 25% of the music one hears on the soundtrack is played by live musicians.

“The two violinists are Joanne Yeoh and Yap Yen and I also used a lot of samples from the online libraries East West and the Moto Symphonic.

Nothing captures an emotional scene better than music, such as this in 1957 Hati Malaya where the crowd at an Umno meeting donates money to fund Tunku’s pro-independence talks in London.
“String arrangements are my forte and Shuhaimi loves the sound of solo violins to emphasise the rousing of emotions. There are some critical scenes like the one where the crowd at an Umno meeting collects money for Tunku to go to London and at this point the emotion is best expressed by the music.”

Paul didn’t just write the orchestral score, however. She also composed the music for Siti’s Hati, with lyrics by Shuhaimi.

“I am very happy with Siti’s performance. No one else could have sung this song for this movie and given it a similar impact,” she enthuses.

I couldn’t help but notice that when the movie first switches out of the 1950s into current time, there is a piece of music that sounds as if it is inspired by Indonesian rock bands.

Paul laughs. “Yes, actually that’s a snippet from another song of mine and I did write it in the style of the Ratu, the Indonesian girl rockers. I really like the piece of music, but I haven’t finished it. I need to find a vocalist, in fact!”

For such a talented composer, Paul is rather low-key. Of mixed Indian, Chinese and Portuguese parentage, she is a former student of Ampang Road Girls’ School and Ocean Institute of Engineering, in Kuala Lumpur. The still-single 30-year-old describes her hobbies as “travelling, watching movies (sometimes just to listen to the effect the soundtrack has), going out with friends and occasionally scuba diving.”

Her eventual emergence as a soundtrack composer can be viewed as a fulfilment of her late father’s dream.

“My father was a tax inspector, but he had always wanted to learn music as a child and was too poor. When he got the chance to support my dream, he was only too glad to help,” says the KL-born lass, the elder of two siblings.

Her first inspiration was perhaps an unlikely source. “I was really inspired by (the Malaysian musician) Jenny Chin. She may not be known so well to the general public, but I remember watching her do work as a keyboardist and arranger for Sheila Majid and Zainal Abidin and thinking, ‘I want to be her.’ As I focused more on international movie soundtracks, I realised that my heroes are established soundtrack legends like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith. I also like the work of Tim Burton’s preferred composer Danny Elfman.”

It was by chance that she ended up working on Hati Malaya. “Shuhaimi saw me on the Bob Azrai TV show, Oh Mu La La, during which he interviewed upcoming composers. She then called me up and after hearing that strings were my strength, asked for a sample of my work. When she heard it, she got me on board for the movie.”

Admitting that it isn’t always easy both artistically and financially to work as a soundtrack composer, Paul has no intentions of curtailing her ambitions, and is intent on making it not just inside Malaysia, but internationally.

“We are hoping to have the soundtrack released in the next few weeks. Sometimes I get scared that people might not be ready to accept it. But I believe that it’s only a matter of time before there is an audience for this sort of music. I intend this to be just the beginning of my career.”

‘1957 Hati Malaya’ is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

Siti’s debut in theatre

By RUBIN KHOO

KUALA LUMPUR: She may have graced the stage of the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London but Datuk Siti Nurhaliza is just as excited at the prospect of making her theatre debut at the Istana Budaya in the soon to be staged P. Ramlee The Musical … The Life, The Love and The Inspiration.

The songstress said she was offered a part in the musical produced by Enfiniti Productions after attending a theatre workshop organised by the production company, which was also responsible for the phenomenal Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical (PGLM).

“I felt so proud when I saw PGL and when I attended the workshop later I was given the chance to experience what theatre was like,” she said..

Sitiwas offered the role of Azizah, the first love of the late P. Ramlee.

While many may not be familiar with Azizah and her relationship with the legendary singer, Siti believes she played an integral part in his life.

“She was his childhood friend and they grew up together but she was the daughter of a rich man who had forbidden their relationship,” she said. “It was then that he left his village.”

P. Ramlee subsequently composed a song in memory of his childhood sweetheart, simply entitled Azizah.

P. Ramlee The Musical … The Life, The Love and The Inspiration comes alive at the Instana Budaya from Oct 18 to Nov 3.

Tickets are priced at RM200, RM180, RM150, RM120, RM80, RM50 and RM30 and are available at 03-2091 1666 or online at http://www.ticket2u.biz. Mobile phone bookings are via java.ticket2u.biz with payment at Mobility One terminals at Petronas outlets.

Enough is enough, says Siti

POP darling Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin survived many rumours by just keeping silent – but when the latest one implicated her husband, Datuk Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, it was time to voice out.

“I was besieged with such malice when I was single.

“I could take whatever rumours flung at me then by keeping quiet and being patient.

“However, this time, I need to publicly deny it so that people do not view my husband in a negative manner,” she told Harian Metro. Khalid was present during the interview.

Rumours emerged recently that she landed in a hospital after her husband allegedly beat her up.

Siti Nurhaliza said that her marriage with Khalid, more popularly known as Datuk K, was happy but outsiders were trying to create trouble.

“My situation is different now. I am a married woman and I need to take care of the feelings of many people, including my husband.

“My father was also very angry and disappointed when he read about news of the rumour in the papers,” she said.

Khalid said he would track down the culprits who spread the rumour and take them to court.

“On the night the rumour started (July 13), Siti and I were attending the wedding of the political secretary of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“We were shocked when Siti’s sister-in-law, Rozie, called and told us about this SMS alleging that I had beaten her.

“This is not the first time rumours have spread about our marriage.

“We hope the rumourmongers would stop. We hope the media would publish accurate news,” said Khalid.

Kakak Tua: Cerita tukang fitnah yang kurang waras!

Siti tidak dipukul oleh suaminya
(Fail Foto The Star)

BENARLAH firasat Kakak Tua yang berita Siti Nurhaliza dipukul itu adalah satu fitnah.

Hari ini Kakak Tua terbaca di akhbar yang suami penyanyi tersohor negara itu, Datuk K mahu saman pihak akhbar kerana sebar fitnah pukul Siti Nurhaliza.

Hati Kakak Tua jadi berbelah bagi. Bukan apa tapi rasa kenyataan itu seperti terpaksa dilakukan. Jangan sampai marahkan pijat, kelambu yang dibakar? dan Lain bengkak, lain pula yang bernanah.

Semoleknya, tindakan undang-undang yang diambil hendaklah ke atas mereka yang benar-benar bersalah. Dalam konteks ini, si tukang fitnah atau kuncu-kucunya kerana bersubahat.

Ini tidak bermaksud yang pihak media bebas dari kesalahan dan akauntabiliti kerana mereka juga ada tanggung jawab yang harus dilakukan, tambahan pula damage sudah dilakukan ke atas satu nama besar yang mana reputasi serta maruah seorang penyanyi terkenal dan suaminya tidak dapat dikembalikan lagi dalam konteks ini.

Kesan negatif apabila berita sensasi yang Siti ‘dipukul’ suami hingga pengsan dan masuk hospital pasti akan mengundang kontroversi dan fitnah yang berpanjangan.

Siti sendiri mengaku dia sudah lali dengan semua fitnah
(Fail Foto The Star)

Si Tukang fitnah sewajarnya didakwa kerana kesalahan mencemar reputasi Siti dan suami.

Kakak Tua tidak fikir Datuk K membuat kenyataan ini atas dasar untuk test water saja dan biarkan saja si tukang fitnah terlepas setelah melihat ramai pihak melatah, termasuk pihak media, dengan onar yang telah dilakukan.

Walaupun secara jujur, Siti sendiri mengaku dia sudah lali dengan semua fitnah termasuklah dari zaman anak dara lagi.

Fikirkanlah apa yang tidak pernah dilemparkan kepada Siti? Namun doa orang tua tetap mengiringi perjalanan seni Siti yang sehingga kini, bagaikan tiada surutnya.

Ingatkan lepas berkahwin, hidup Siti tidak akan diganggu gugat oleh fitnah lagi. Rupanya harapan itu meleset, malah lebih hebat cabaran fitnah yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh Siti dan suami.

Dalam banyak kenyataan yang keluar dari mulut Datuk K, yang membuat Kakak Tua tersenyum sinis adalah ayat ini… “Mungkin ini kerja mereka yang tidak cukup akal. Kalau orang itu waras, dia tidak akan buat kerja macam tu…”

Dan saya akan melihat dan menyiasat dulu latar belakangnya sama ada dia kurang waras atau terencat akal….

Namun dalam nada yang sama, Datuk K tetap mahu mengambil tindakan kepada si dajal yang menyebar fitnah itu agar ianya tidak akan berulang.

Semua kekecohan ini berpunca dari SMS yang tersebar pada malam 13 Julai. Dengan kecanggihan teknologi yang ada, tentu saja sipengirim SMS itu dapat dikesan. Masalah tidak siuman atau kurang waras tidak boleh diterima pakai kerana ini soal maruah.

Lagipun, pengajaran dan tindakan yang drastik perlu diambil agar impaknya akan memberi kesan kepada si tukang fitnah. Yang Kakak Tua musykil ialah siapakah sebenarnya dalang yang telah berusaha sehingga berita ini dimainkan ditajuk akhbar utama?

Implikasi dari tersebarnya fitnah ini akan dirasa oleh Siti dan keluarga sampai bila-bila. Disebabkan implikasi ini jugalah, Islam tidak memandang remeh isu fitnah ini.

Kakak Tua sendiri ingin menyumbang khidmat sebagai pembantu penyiasat dalam kes ini kerana sebagai peminat Siti, Kakak Tua ingin sekali menjalankan siasatan tentang asal usul si tukang fitnah, samada dia beroperasi secara berseorangan atau ada kelompok tertentu.

Siasatan ini harus dimulakan dengan kelompok penyokong dan anti Siti-Datuk K. Maklum sajalah setelah berkahwin, Siti-Datuk K mengundang kelompok yang ‘berbeza’ sebagai penyokong mereka.

Lebih hebat cabaran fitnah yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh Siti dan suami
(Fail Foto The Star)

Berapa kerat yang mahu menerima jodoh Siti dan Datuk K sudah ditakdirkan. Begitu juga dengan kesenangan yang mereka kecapi. Kita sepatutnya mendoakan kebahagiaan mereka berpanjangan dan tidak perlulah dipersoalkan lagi kedua aspek ini.

Tapi bagi mereka yang kurang waras dan jelek pemikiran, mereka tidak dapat membeza dan menerima ketentuan ini secara rasional.

Bila ini gagal dilakukan maka timbullah bisikan syaitan yang mengajak dan menarik mereka-mereka ini melakukan perkara yang terkutuk seperti membuat fitnah.

Justru, sebagai pemerhati Kakak Tua hanya dapat melahirkan rasa simpati kepada si tukang fitnah kerana terjerat dengan Akta Hasutan Syaitan. Yang mana kesannya akan dapat dirasakan setiap kali si tukang fitnah menghela nafas.

Paling tidakpun, si tukang fitnah akan terkedu dengan ketentuanNya sehingga terdorong membuat perkara-perkara pelik yang memakan diri atau terperangkap dengan kebodohan rancangan yang tidak menjadi.

Dan tentu sekali apabila pemikiran sudah tidak waras, tidak timbul rasa berdosa atau bersalah kerana yang dicari adalah kepuasan diri yang bathil dan bukan hakiki. Lebih haru apabila si tukang fitnah berkata …”Saya difitnah!”

KAKAK TUA: Fitnah pernah jadi ‘pakaian harian’ satu waktu dulu.

Kakak Tua: Betul ke Siti dipukul?

Siti Nurhaliza difitnah lagi….begitulah firasat Kakak Tua bila terbaca laporan akhbar hari Sabtu lepas.

Kenapa, mengapa dan bagaimana fitnah itu bermula dan tersebar, Kakak Tua sudah boleh agak.

Yang menguatkan gerak hati ini untuk menganggap gosip murahan itu sebagai sebuah fitnah adalah kerana modus operandinya hampir sama jadi senang untuk menjangka apa motif sebenar kenapa tersebarnya fitnah yang memalukan Siti, Datuk K dan keluarga mereka ini berlaku.

Kakak Tua cukup yakin ianya fitnah yang dibuat-buat kerana sebelum ini penyanyi tersohor rantau ini sering difitnah. Dari memakai susuk, botox dan bermacam lagi tuduhan liar dilemparkan pada Siti.

Kini fitnah terbaru pula melanda hidup Siti. Kononnya, Siti dipukul Datuk K hingga pengsan dan dimasukkan hospital. Tentu sekali berita ‘sebesar’ ini akan mendapat media play yang cukup istimewa kerana subjeknya adalah orang tersohor dan terpalit pula dengan kontroversi berkahwin dengan bekas suami orang.

Spekulasi demi spekulasi yang timbul berkenaan pasangan Datuk K-Siti tidak pernah jemu dimainkan oleh pihak akhbar.

Ada saja angle baru yang hendak dimainkan. Yang penting ianya tentu sekali melariskan akhbar. Soal integriti dan kredibiliti di tolak tepi dulu kerana yang afdhalnya suratkhabar laku.

Sayang sekali, dalam keghairahan kita menjual cerita begini, tercalit satu lagi titik hitam di dalam episod kehidupan penyanyi bernama Siti Nurhaliza. Dan catatan begini tidak langsung membantu karier Siti.

Imej Siti yang lemah lembut serta sopan bagaikan tercalar dek cakap-cakap negatif macam ini. Kakak Tua percaya di dalam kepala setiap pembaca adalah kesahihan berita yang dipamerkan itu. Penafian yang dilakukan oleh Datuk K mahupun Siti hanya akan menguatkan lagi api semerak nafsu kesumat orang-orang yang menyebarkan fitnah tersebut.

Seeloknya seperti selalu, Siti tidak perlu melatah kerana itulah yang dimahukan oleh mereka yang ada agenda jahat.

Dan paparan yang dibuat oleh pihak media sebagai tajuk utama sedikit sebanyak tentu sudah ‘berjaya’ memalukan Siti dan keluarga. Walaupun sudah masak dengan sepak terajang orang wartawan, Siti dan Datuk K terpaksa tebal muka menghadapi fitnah ini dan tampilkan gaya yang kebahagian mereka tidak tergugat dengan cakap fitnah tersebut.

Sejak kebelakangan ini, media bagaikan berperang ‘menegakkan’ keadilan. Di harap sangat media tidak berperanan menjadi hakim menghukumi siapa salah, siapa benar maka yang menjadi keliru adalah pembaca dan peminat. Kakak Tua selalu diingatkan oleh senior-senior dulu untuk selalu mencari kebenaran fakta dan melaporkan cerita dua pihak.

Namun kadangkala laporan sebelah pihak perlu dilakukan kerana walaupun kelihatan berat sebelah, ianya terpaksa dilakukan untuk membersihkan nama mereka yang terkena tempias fitnah.

Begitu juga kesnya Erra Fazira-Hans- Engku Emran, tak sudah-sudah cerita tentang siapa bercakap benar sampai Kakak Tua sendiri bosan memikirkan. Tapi bila difikirkan kenapa timbul cerita-cerita pelik dan tuduhan palsu pada pihak yang teraniaya maka sekali lagi Kakak Tua terpanggil untuk ‘campur tangan.’

Bukan apa, sekadar memberi pandangan pada mereka yang sudah terpesong pandangan mereka dek kehebatan lakonan mereka yang terlibat.

Selain Siti, Mawi juga turut terpalit dengan ‘fitnah’ kononnya menghisap dadah di Australia. Artis-artis yang tersebut di atas tentu sekali bosan kerana menjadi modal pelaris akhbar. Tapi itulah yang harga sebuah kemasyuran. Sudah tiada nokhtah untuk mendapat privasi mutlak kerana menjadi milik masyarakat.

Setiap kali Kakak Tua mendapat perkhabaran baru tentang apa saja yang telah melanda artis, Kakak Tua akan membuat siasatan terlebih dahulu. Cukup senang untuk tahu samada seseroang itu difitnah atau sebaliknya kerana ada beberapa tip tertentu yang kita perlu tahu terlebih dahulu.

Kita dianugerahkan akal yang cukup tinggi martabatnya mustahil kita tidak dapat berfikir dengan rasional logik cerita, jalan cerita dan kesahihan cerita. Perkara-perkara yang tidak logik ini selalunya kita boleh rasa dengan cepat, jalan cerita perlu meyakinkan dan kesahihan cerita itu pasti sahih apabila ianya selari dan senada dengan fakta logik yang ditemui.

Memang sukar untuk kita mengaku yang kita bersalah tapi selagi kita tidak membuat pengakuan selagi itulah hidup kita akan diganggu dengan perasaan yang tidak tenang sehingga mengundang lebih banyak kontroversi dan cakap-cakap tidak masuk akal.

Tidak kisahlah jika selepas ini, Kakak Tua dianggap nyanyok atau sudah tua hanya kerana memberi teguran pada artis-artis yang selalu terpana dengan kilauan glamor ini sehingga terlupa berpijak pada bumi yang nyata.

KAKAK TUA: Selalu mencari hikmah di sebalik fitnah hebat yang melanda.

MyStarz

Tiga juri jemputan pada malam itu (dari kiri) Patrick, Siti dan Sandy (Foto The Star)

The Tailor’s Day

By ESTHER CHANDRAN
Photos by SAMUEL ONG

Smart: Siti Nurhaliza (left) and Ziana in Lord’s Tailor’s Power Suit for Powerful Women.
IT was broad daylight outside the Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur but within its walls, a group of guests were dressed in stylish tuxedos and evening gowns.

They were attending the Lord’s Tailor’s 33rd anniversary celebration.

The meaningful event on June 6 showed off this longstanding tailoring house’s distinct cut as 16 male celebrities came handsomely dressed in master tailor Robert Loh’s signature fit and style.

In the room were Farid Kamil, Fahrin Ahmad, Arash, Ebi, Ashraf Sinclair, Awal, Vince, Rashidi Ishak, Aman, Dafi, Shawal, Steve Yap, Alan Yun, John Wong, Dylan and Andrew Tan.

For the team at Lord’s Tailor, it was more than an anniversary, as they also celebrated the upcoming Father’s Day.

The male celebrities looked smashing but the spotlight was on female celebrities like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Ziana Zain when they walked in wearing crisp suits, introducing Lord’s Tailor’s Power Suit for Powerful Women.

Looking good: (From left) Aman, Yun and Yap in suits by Lord’s Tailor.
Director Lee Lee Loh said the Lord’s Tailor brand was synonymous with suits for men but it was taking a step to showcase fashionable suits for women.

She said celebrities were invited to be a part of the anniversary celebrations to prove that Lord’s Tailor remained relevant and still catered to the need of the ever changing fashion world, particularly the younger generation.

Later, Siti rendered Aku Cinta Padamu, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and performed a duet with Tan, singing Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin before calling on a few entertainment journalists to join her on stage to sing Teman Tapi Mesra, Pupus and Pudar.

She also performed with Ziana.

Lord’s Tailor’s fame can be traced back to 1975 when Kuala Lumpur hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner.

After the staff at Hilton Hotel recommended Ali to the tailor for a suit, business was brisk due to the publicity gained.

Siti idam jadi ibu

Wahida Asrani
Tanggal 21 Ogos nanti, genap setahun usia rumahtangga yang dibina oleh Diva Malaysia ini dan suaminya, Datuk Khalid Muhammad Jiwa atau lebih dikenali dengan panggilan Datuk K.

Ternyata, sejak baru bergelar suami isteri lagi sehinggalah sekarang, kehidupan pasangan ini memang sentiasa menjadi tumpuan ramai. Kini, hampir setahun hidup bersama, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza akui kehidupannya kini lebih terisi.

“Baru setahun usia rumahtangga kami dan masih banyak cabaran yang perlu dilalui.

Siti dan Datuk K ketika hadir pada majlis sambutan ulangtahun ke-33 Lord’s Tailor semala (Foto The Star oleh Samuel Ong)

“Perlahan-lahan kami masih cuba lagi untuk fahami perasaan masing-masing dan sudah tentu apa yang Siti harapkan agar perkahwinan ini biarlah kekal sampai ke akhir hayat,” ujar Siti ketika ditemui pada majlis sambutan ulangtahun ke-33 penubuhan Lord’s Tailor di Hotel Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Lord’s Tailor, yang diasaskan oleh Robert Loh amat terkenal dengan rekaan fesyen sut dan tuksedo di mana salah seorang pelanggannya adalah Datuk K yang telah lebih lapan tahun menggunakan khidmat Robert.

Mengulas dengan lebih lanjut tentang setahun perkahwinan mereka, Siti berkata, dia amat bersyukur kerana sehingga hari ini, suaminya amat memahami perjalanan seninya yang agak sibuk.

“Siti pegang pada satu benda saja iaitu perlu menghormati antara satu sama lain. Itu yang Siti amalkan.

“Tentang anniversary kami, Siti dan suami masih belum fikir apa-apa lagi mengenainya,” katanya sambil tersenyum.

Berbicara mengenai rumahtangga, pastinya soalan berkisarkan ‘cahayamata’ turut diajukan kepada penyanyi popular ini.

Masakan tidak, usia perkahwinan sudah hampir setahun, pastinya kehadiran ‘orang baru’ akan lebih menyerikan keharmonian rumahtangga pasangan ini.

“Siti dan lali dengan soalan macam ni. Terus-terang Siti katakan, Siti tidak pernah merancang bila untuk mempunyai anak.

“Ada pasangan yang menunggu enam hingga tujuh tahun untuk dapat anak, tapi Siti harap kami tidak payahlah tunggu selama itu. Jika ada rezeki, adalah. Buat masa ini, cukuplah Siti jumpa pakar untuk dapatkan khidmat nasihat mereka,” jelas Siti.

Siti dan Ziana bersama 16 selebriti lelaki yang diundang untuk memperagakan pelbagai konsep tuksedo rekaan Lord’s Tailor (Foto The Star oleh Samuel Ong)

Dalam pada itu, pada majlis sambutan ulangtahun ke-33 Lord’s Tailor, Siti turut diberi penghargaan untuk merasmikan ‘Power Suit For Powerful Women’, sut untuk golongan wanita yang pertama keluaran Lord’s Tailor.

16 selebriti lelaki juga turut diundang untuk memperagakan pelbagai konsep tuksedo rekaan Lord’s Tailor antaranya adalah Farid Kamil, Fahrin Ahmad, Arash Muhammad, Ashraf Sinclair, Awal Ashaari, Vince, Rashidi Ishak, Aman (pemenang tempat kedua Mr. Maskulin), Dafi, Shawal, Ebi dan Alan Yun.

Siti turut menghiburkan tetamu yang hadir dengan beberapa buah lagu seperti Aku Cinta Padamu, I Will Always Love You serta duet bersama Ziana Zain menerusi lagu Hanya Memuji dan sebuah lagi duet untuk lagu mandarin bersama pemenang International Chinese New Talent Singing Champion 2006, Andrew Tan.

Siti Nurhaliza’s husband sued

SHAH ALAM: A teenager has filed a suit against businessman Datuk Khalid Mohd Jiwa for allegedly beating him up last month.

Muhammed Kasheef Harris Sivapatham, 18, is seeking, among others, a declaration that Khalid, who is married to pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, had unlawfully detained him from 11.30pm on March 17 to 1am the following day.

The boy is also seeking general, special and aggravated damages and an injunction to prevent Khalid or his agents from physically harming him while awaiting trial.

The boy was accompanied to the Shah Alam High Court registry yesterday by his parents and lawyers.

Khalid is alleged to have assaulted Muhammed Kasheef, who is from Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang, after the teenager had gone to the home of the businessman’s ex-wife on March 17.

Muhammed Kasheef claimed that he had gone to the house after receiving text messages from Khalid’s 17-year-old son Muhammad Adib asking for help.

Muhammed Kasheef alleged that Khalid accused him of dealing in drugs and forced him to take a urine test, which turned out negative.

He claimed to have sustained injuries to his eyes, cheeks and ears as a result of being beaten up by Khalid.

Khalid, in a press statement, said he was not surprised with Muhammed Kasheef’s claim as he had known from the start that there was a personal agenda to tarnish his good name.

“This action gives me a chance to defend myself vehemently, and to establish the truth in court,” he added.

Khalid said he has instructed his lawyers to file a counter-claim against Muhammed Kasheef and others who were involved in making false allegations against him.

Siti: Police probe on hubby won’t hurt us

Siti: ‘I don’t want to think of such trivial things, which have not hurt my life with my husband one bit’
KUALA LUMPUR: Pop diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza said the police investigation against her husband does not pose any threat to her marriage.

The case was “unsubstantiated” and “trivial”, she told reporters at a tribute concert to the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee and Puan Seri Saloma at the Istana Budaya here on Thursday.

Her husband, Datuk Mohamad Khalid Jiwa, was questioned recently for allegedly assaulting 18-year-old Muhammad Kasheef Harris, who claimed to be a close friend of one of his sons.

The youth lodged a police report on March 20 that he suffered injuries to his mouth and bruises on his left eye because of the alleged assault a week earlier.

“I do not want to comment as the allegation has not been substantiated,” said Siti.

“I don’t want to think of such trivial things, which have not hurt my life with my husband one bit.

“Anything that is as illogical as this will not hurt me and I don’t feel stressful about it at all,” she added.

Asked about her life, which has been hit with a number of controversies, she said all that had happened had been fated and she had dealt with them in a professional way.

“Maybe, Allah loves Siti and for this reason, He sends along a lot of trials and tribulations.

“I accept all that is good and things that are not good, I ignore.”

Khalid’s sister, Zaiton, said her brother and the rest of their family were still in shock over the assault reports.

Log on to http://www.mStar.com.my for the Malay version of this story.

Siti – Fazli jelmaan Saloma & P.Ramlee?

23-03-2007 05:44:14 PM
Wahida Asrani

Konsert Nostalgia Istana Cinta Tan Sri P. Ramlee & Puan Sri Saloma Bersama Datuk Siti Nurhaliza … Projek terbaru Datuk Siti Nurhaliza
(Koleksi Datuk Siti Nurhaliza)

Impiannya untuk mengadakan sebuah konsert penghargaan untuk Allahyarham Sudirman telah pun terlaksana beberapa tahun lalu.

Masih mengekalkan lokasi yang sama pada tahun ini iaitu di Istana Budaya, Siti kali ini kembali pula dengan konsert tribute untuk seniman dan seniwati tanahair, Tan Sri P. Ramlee dan Puan Sri Saloma.

Konsert Nostalgia Istana Cinta Tan Sri P. Ramlee & Puan Sri Saloma Bersama Datuk Siti Nurhaliza yang diadakan secara kerjasama antara Siti Nurhaliza Productions dan Istana Budaya ini merupakan konsert yang julung-julung kali diadakan bagi mengenang jasa dua lagenda seni itu.

“Pada awalnya Siti cadangkan pada IB untuk buat konsert khas untuk Saloma, kerana sehingga hari ini belum ada orang buat lagi tribute untuk dia. Tetapi, IB cadangkan pada saya agar buat sekali tribute untuk P.Ramlee.

“Siti tiada masalah dengan cadangan tersebut kerana lagipun kebanyakan lagu Saloma adalah ciptaan P.Ramlee sendiri.

“Siti sendiri pun sering menyanyikan lagu-lagu P.Ramlee di kebanyakan show. Bagi Siti, semua lagu P.Ramlee memang menghiburkan dan ada mesej tertentu,” ujar diva tersebut pada sidang media konsert tersebut di Istana Budaya, semalam.

Menurut Siti, kerana itulah dia langsung tidak merasa tertekan untuk membuat persiapan sempena konsert tersebut walaupun persediaannya hanya tinggal lebih kurang sebulan saja lagi sebelum konsert itu dijalankan selama dua malam berturut-turut iaitu pada 20 dan 21 April depan.

“Apapun, Siti akan cuba bawa lagu-lagu tersebut dengan cara Siti sendiri tapi masih mengekalkan keindahan muzik P.Ramlee”
(Koleksi Datuk Siti Nurhaliza)

“Siti sudah biasa sangat bawa lagu Allahyarham. Sebut saja lagu apa, Siti rasa Siti boleh nyanyikan. Mungkin Siti perlu buat homework sikit jika ada perubahan dari segi penyusunan muzik.

“Apapun, Siti akan cuba bawa lagu-lagu tersebut dengan cara Siti sendiri tapi masih mengekalkan keindahan muzik P.Ramlee. Siti akan pastikan keaslian muzik Allahyarham masih ada, cuma kita akan ‘perindahkan’ sedikit saja,” katanya.

Pada konsert tersebut, Siti dijangka akan menyanyikan lebih 20 buah lagu termasuk secara duet dan medley, di mana pemilihan lagu dibuat bersama oleh Siti, pihak IB dan pengarah persembahan konsert tersebut, Suhaimi Mohd Zain atau Pak Ngah.

Antara lagu-lagu yang akan dinyanyikan pada konsert itu adalah Engkau Laksana Bulan, Malamku Bermimpi, Dimanakan Ku Cari Ganti, Merak Kayangan, Dalam Air Ku Terbayang Wajah dan Berkorban Apa Saja.

“Kali ini Siti akan cuba bawa banyak lagu-lagu mereka yang orang jarang dengar sebelum ini. Jika kita perhatikan sebenarnya banyak hasil karya P.Ramlee yang ada diantaranya kita sendiri tidak pernah dengar.

“Sebab itu Siti akan cuba ketengahkan lagu-lagu ini yang Siti rasakan mampu menghiburkan penonton pada dua malam tersebut,” katanya lagi.

Fazli Zainal diamanahkan menjadi Tan Sri P Ramlee pada konsert tersebut
(Foto fail The Star)

Konsert yang bakal berlangsung selama sejam setengah itu akan dibahagi kepada beberapa segmen, termasuklah segmen lakonan oleh artis undangan Isketambola.

Persembahan pada malam itu akan diiringi oleh Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan (OSK) dan selain Isketambola, turut dijemput membuat persembahan pada malam itu ialah Musly dan penyanyi baru yang sedang meningkat naik, Fazli Zainal.

Fazli akan turut bergandingan dengan Siti untuk beberapa buah lagu menerusi segmen duet.

Ditanya mengenai pemilihan artis jemputan, Siti berkata, pemilihan tersebut dibuat atas perbincangan semua pihak.

“Siti memang ingin cari muka-muka baru yang boleh diketengahkan lagi dalam industri ini, sebagai contoh, Fazli. Ini adalah satu platform yang baik untuk mereka ini tunjukkan bakat masing-masing agar boleh pergi lebih jauh dalam bidang ini,” ujarnya.

Kata Siti lagi, dia meletakkan harapan yang tinggi pada konsert ini agar berjaya mengembalikan nostalgia dua lagenda seni tanahair itu.

“Ini bukan konsert Siti semata-mata, tetapi apa yang Siti harapkan ialah agar masyarakat dapat mengenang kembali dan hargai jasa P.Ramlee dan Saloma di persada seni ini. Siti akan cuba jadikan konsert ini satu konsert yang menghiburkan.

“Insyaallah, jika sambutannya menggalakkan, Siti tidak teragak-agak untuk sambung lagi konsert ini mungkin kepada tiga malam, bergantung kepada pihak IB,” kata Siti.

Tiket-tiket berharga RM50, RM80, RM150, RM200 dan RM250 untuk konsert tersebut boleh didapati dengan menghubungi 03-40265558 atau dengan melayari laman web http://www.istanabudaya.gov.my

Siti’s hubby denies assaulting the supervisor

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: An 18-year-old supervisor has alleged that Datuk Khalid Jiwa, the husband of Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, assaulted him.

Muhammad Kasheef Haris, who claims to be a friend of Khalid’s son Muhammad Adib, also alleged that Khalid punched and assaulted him when he denied Khalid’s allegation that he was a drug dealer.

Khalid, when contacted, confirmed that he had asked his son to call Kasheef to the house but denied assaulting him.

In his police report, Kasheef alleged that he went to meet Adib at his house in Bukit Antarabangsa after he received two SMSes (short message service) from him.

“At Adib’s house, Khalid’s bodyguard told me that he was instructed to wallop me.

“The bodyguard also told me he would not hit me if I apologised to Khalid,” he said, adding that he did not know what he was supposed to apologise for.

Kasheef said that when he entered the house, Khalid started to accuse him of being a drug dealer and influencing his son.

He said when he denied the accusations, Khalid punched him repeatedly and even got an unidentified man to conduct a urine test on him.

“I agreed to the test as I am not a drug addict. True enough, my urine test turned out negative,” he said.

He said Khalid’s ex-wife Tengku Zawiyah, who is Adib’s mother, then drove him to a nearby clinic for a medical examination as he suffered bruises on the face and numbness on the left ear.

Khalid said he wanted to meet Kasheef to clarify certain matters pertaining to his son.

“I wanted to know where he and my son have been going as I am concerned about my son’s activities.

“I never assaulted him and neither did I ask anyone to do a urine test on him. Who am I to do that? Why should I?”

Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Zulkarnian Abdul Rahman confirmed that a report was lodged over the matter at the district police headquarters around 3pm yesterday.

Honouring music’s best

By AZHARIAH KAMIN

It is time to honour composers, for their contribution to the music industry, at the MACP Awards 2007, come April 14.

Renowned musician M. Nasir is up for awards in many categories.
The MACP Award 2007, back for its 11th instalment, aims to honour individuals for their achievement in song composition.

To be held at Merdeka Hall in the Putra World Trade Centre on April 14, the event will also honour an individual with a special award, the Nadi Cipta, for his support and contribution to MACP and the music industry as a whole.

Formed in 1989, MACP (Music Authors’ Copyright Protection) Bhd is an independent royalty collection body that protects copyrights and administers the rights of its member composers, authors and publishers of music in the local and international scenes.

It is a non-profit organisation whose main functions are to license the users of music (radio and TV stations, nightclubs and concert halls) and pay songwriters and publishers when their works are broadcast and publicly performed.

This year’s awards go out to the country’s top royalty earners in the music scene and they will be selected based on MACP’s royalty distribution list between January 2006 and December 2006. And for the first time since 1996, the event will be telecast live by RTM2.

Prolific songsmith Habsah Hassan has also been nominated in numerous categories.
The existing awards (based on MACP’s royalty distribution results) are most-performed Malay song, most-performed Chinese song, most-performed local English song, most-performed foreign song, most promising young composer (under-25), song with the highest foreign royalties, top lyricist and top composer.

Aside from that, there will be five additional awards – the 60s Popular Choice, the 70s Popular Choice, the 80s Popular Choice, the 90s Popular Choice, and Current Popular Hit – in which 10 songs from each decade and the present were short-listed by a jury panel.

The public are invited to participate in the selection of the winners via voting by SMS, from March 5 until April 14, and the winning songs will be those that garner the highest number of votes.

The MACP Awards 2007 will be telecast live from Merdeka Hall, Putra World Trade Centre, over RTM2 at 8.40pm on April 14.

How to vote

To vote, type POPcode of the song and send it to 32770. The number to call for fixed lines for the 60s songs is ; 13727 for the 70s songs; 13728 for the 80s songs; 13729 for the 90s songs, and 13730 for current popular hit and follow the instructions (on the phone). Each SMS costs 50 sen. Details can also be obtained from http://www.rtm.net.my.

The 10 songs for the 60s popular choice award are Oh Fatimah, with voting code OH (sung by A Ramlie, composed by Salamah Basiron/ lyrics by Salamah Basiron; Baju Hijau, code BAJU (Sanisah/ HuriAsnadi Markop/ A Romzi); Kenanganku, code KENANG (Jeffrydin/ Jeffrydin/ Jeffrydin); Cincin Emas, code CINCIN (A Rahman On/ Abdul Hamid Talib/ Abdul Hamid Talib); La Obe, code LA; (Kassim Selamat/ Yusof Rahman/ Afandi Abdul Rahman); Kisah Dan Tauladan, code KISAH (A.Halim/ Halim Md Diah/ Halim Md Diah); Selamat Datang, ; code SELAMAT (Rafeah Buang/ Kassim Masdor/ Yusnor Ef); Dara Pujaan, code DARA (L. Ramlee/ Ismail Aziz/ Ismail Aziz); Suzana, code SUZANA, (M. Osman/ M. Osman/ M. Osman) and Selamat Tinggal Pujaan, code PUJAAN (S. Jibeng/ S. Jibeng/ S. Jibeng).

The 10 finalists for the 70s Popular Choice award are Bisikan Hati, code BISIK (Rafeah Buang/ Maimon Abdul Rahman/ Maimon Abdul Rahman); Cik Mek Molek code MOLEK (M. Daud Kilau/ Ahmad Shariff/ M. Daud Kilau); Ku Gembira Di Samping Mu, code KU (Khatijah Ibrahim/ Ahmad Nawab/ Chuari Selamat); Tiada Maaf Bagimu; code MAAF (Sharifah Aini/ Ahmad Nawab/ Sharifah Aini); Wajah Kesayangan Hamba, code WAJAH (Hail Amir/ Ahmad Nawab/ Chuari Selamat); Semakin Hari Semakin Sayang, code SAYANG (Uji Rashid/ Ahmad Nawab/ Ahmad Nawab); Umpan Jinak Di Air Tenang, code UMPAN (Ahmad Jais/ Ahmad Jais/ Rosli Haji Yusof);Seiring Sejalan, code SEJALAN (Shariah Aini & Broery Marantika/ Ahmad Nawab/ Broery Marantika); Mengharap Sinar Menelan Kabus, code SINAR (Ahmad Jais/ Ahmad Jais/ Rosli Yusof); and Senandung Semalam, code SEMALAM(Alleycats/ M. Nasir/ M. Nasir).

The 80s Popular Choice awards finalists are Menaruh Harapan, code MENARUH (Zaiton Sameon/ A. Ali/ Habsah Hassan); Sendiri, code SENDIRI(Jamal Abdillah/ Ahmad Nawab/ Habsah Hassan); Aku Hanya Pendatang, code AKU (Francissca Peter/ Manan Ngah/ Habsah Hassan); Merisik Khabar; code MERISIK (Sudirman/ Manan Ngah/ Habsah Hassan); Epilog Cinta Dari Bromley, code EPILOG (Suhaimi Meor Hassan/ Suhaimi Meor Hassan/ Suhaimi Meor Hassan); Penantian, code NANTI (Harmoni/ Zubir Ali/ Zubir Ali); Fantasia Bulan Madu, code MADU (Search/ M. Nasir/ M. Nasir); Rindu Bayangan, code RINDU (Carefree/ Siti Mariah Jasman/ Omar Taib), Hingga Akhir Nanti, code HINGGA (Alleycats/ M. Nasir/ S. Amin Shahab) and Kau Kunci Cintaku Didalam Hatimu, code KUNCI (Ramlah Ram/ Ahmad Nawab/ Juwie).

As for the 90s Popular Choice category, the final 10 are: Cindai, code CINDAI (Siti Nurhaliza/ Pak Ngah/ Hairul Anuar Harun); Tanya Itu Sama Hud Hud, code TANYA (M. Nasir/ M. Nasir/ M. Nasir); Isabella, code BEL (Search/ M. Nasir/ Bob Lokman); Pada Syurga Di Wajahmu, code SYURGA (Nash/ Fauzi Marzuki/ Bob Lokman); Teringin, code INGIN (Shima/ Fauzi Marzuki/ Lukhman S.); Seksa, code SEKSA (Ukays/ Saari Amri/ Saari Amri); Gerimis Mengundang, code GERIMIS (Slam/ Saari Amri/ Saari Amri); Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir; code AWAL (Jamal Abdillah/ Fauzi Marzuki/ S. Amin Shahab); Suci Dalam Debu, code SUCI (Iklim/ Che Wan Zul/ S. Amin Shahab) and Sepi Sekuntum Mawar Merah, code MAWAR (Ella/ Fauzi Marzuki/ Lukhman S.).

Ten finalists for the Current Popular Choice are: Kasihnya Laila, code LAILA (Jinbara/ Ahmad Sairi Haslan/ Muhammad Redzwan Shamsuddin); Relaku Pujuk code PUJUK (Spider/ Tam Spider/ Keon), Akar Dan Bumi, code AKAR (Amok/ Muhammad Kamal Ali/ Azam Dungun); Bunga-Bunga Cinta, code BUNGA (Misha Omar/ Adnan Abu Hassan/ Adnan Abu Hassan); Gemilang, code GEM (Jaclyn Victor/ Aubrey Suwito/ Asmin Mudin); Sandarkan Pada Kenangan, code SANDAR (Jamal Abdillah & Siti Sarah/ M. Nasir/ M. Nasir); Da Bomb, code DA (Ruffedge/ Cat Farish & Amer Munawer & Azan Addin & Zain/ Cat Farish & Amer Munawer & Azan Addin & Zain); Kian; code KIAN (Mawi/ Fauzi Marzuki/ Lukhman S.); Awan Yang Terpilu, code AWAN (Ning Baizura/ Lin Li Zhen/ Loloq) and Pandang-Pandang Jeling-Jeling, code JELING; (Siti Nurhaliza & Tan Sri S.M. Salim/ S. Atan/ S.M. Salim).

Siti Nurhaliza to headline RTM’s Sudirman tribute

KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Datuk Siti Nuhaliza will headline a special tribute concert for the late great singer Sudirman Haji Arshad on April 1 at Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam.

Organised by RTM, Konsert Dari Suara Hati Sudirman will also feature Jaclyn Victor, Misha Omar, Dayang Nurfaizah, Ning Baizura, Ramli Sarip, Saleem of Iklim, Rahim Maarof, Farahwaheeda, Kenny Lee, Nita, Bob, Zahid, Faizal, Lotter and Izwan Pilus.

The concert will also coincide with RTM’s 61 anniversary.

Entrance is free and those who are interested to obtain the tickets should watch out for announcements on RTM’s television and radio stations.

As a prelude to the concert, RTM will screen Sudirman’s popular showcases in a special slot entitled Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan … Penghibur Lagenda for the whole month beginning tomorrow at 8.45pm on RTM1.

Siti’s Grammy adventure

Catch Siti Nurhaliza on Siti at the Grammy’son Channel [V].
FOLLOW pop icon Datuk Siti Nurhaliza on her recent trip to Los Angeles for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards earlier this month.

The singer was the first Malaysian to be given the honour of walking up the red carpet at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

Channel [V] was there alongside the Malaysian songbird to give you the low down on what went on during the star-studded bash.

“It was very exciting and thrilling in so many ways. I was nervous, anxious and really looked forward to walking on the red carpet,” said Siti in a press release.

Catch Siti at The Grammy’s on Popparazzi on Channel [V] (Astro Channel 72) tomorrow at 6pm with a repeat on Feb 26 (6pm). The 49th Annual Grammy Awards on Star World (Astro Channel 70) will be aired on March 17 (noon) with repeats 1pm the same day and at 6pm on March 18.

The show follows Siti as she travelled to Los Angeles for the big night. Also featured are pre-Grammy events such as a behind-the-scenes look at the Grammy rehearsals, celebrity gift lounges and parties.

With performances by Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Gnarls Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justin Timberlake, the wealth of talent on show during the ceremony was nothing short of spectacular.

And just what did Datuk Siti think of it all? “The show was very entertaining. I enjoyed the music performances, especially Chris Brown and Shakira. Chris Brown was very energetic, unique and different, and his dance moves were very cool. During Shakira’s performance, I thought the entire stage concept and colours were great. Beyonce’s voice was simply amazing.”

The night continued as Siti mingled with some of the top names of the music industry at the Sony BMG party. She says: “I met Jessica Simpson, John Mayer, John Legend, Carrie Underwood and Slash. I also brushed shoulders with The Dixie Chicks!”

Want to know more? Then tune in to Channel [V].

‘This is my life’

In a rare personal interview since her humungous wedding to Datuk Khalid Muhammad Jiwa, aka Datuk K, in September, Siti Nurhaliza gives StarMag-Variety a glimpse of her private side.

IT’S safe to say that almost everyone wants to know what married life is like for Datuk Siti Nurhaliza. (Some people even want to know if she’s pregnant yet, which is a little intrusive, I think!) So I just had to pop that question when we had a few moments together after the taping of the Siti Nurhaliza Mencari Bintang Pantene reality show last Saturday.

Recent milestones: Receiving her Datukship from the Sultan of Pahang in October (above) and, of course, that wedding in September when she … gained a shoulder to cry on? We’re just teasing, Siti!

She gave a shy laugh and said: “My life is normal like everyone else’s. I run around and work but my work commitments have to be less now. Back then, the entire week was full of work. Now, I set aside two or three days for my family.

“I’m happy, really happy. It’s nice to have a shoulder to cry on. Before I got married, I still had my family to turn to, of course, but that’s not the same. Just ask any woman who has a boyfriend or husband what it feels like. It’s nice to be cared for by a husband, to be able to share problems and laugh together.

So, I’m happy,” she concluded – while practically glowing, so we believe her. The usual scrutiny of media and fans has obviously increased since she got married; how does she feel about that, we wonder? Unlike many stars who bemoan the loss of privacy (slightly hypocritically – after all, they did seek out their high-profile jobs, right?), Siti seems graciously at peace with where her life has taken her.

“This is the life of a celebrity. I can’t run from it and I have to be realistic. This is my life and my job.

“I’m grateful for my 11 years of experience as a singer and meeting all kinds of people, so now I’m able to control my emotions in any situation,” she said.

What does make her uncomfortable is the undeniable fact that she seems to be a source of inspiration for many. But the pedestal isn’t for her, she says.

“First of all, I’m just a normal human being. I’m not an angel nor am I perfect. I’m just fulfilling my responsibilities,” said Siti.

“I was a kampung girl from a small village (Kuala Lipis, Pahang), then I went to the city to work and face all the challenges of the music industry. I’m glad I am still able to stand and face any challenges that come my way. It is my hope that women can learn from my good qualities but not follow my bad ones,” she said demurely.

Perfect she might not be, but her rags-to-riches story, complete with a fairytale wedding as icing, is undeniably inspiring. And then there’s the title! The Sultan of Pahang awarded her the title last month and the unassuming Siti is still getting used to it, it seems.

“Rasa kekok sikitlah (It feels a little awkward),” she said with a shy laugh.

“People usually call me Siti, Siti, Siti. But (the title) is an honour and an acknowledgement from the Sultan of Pahang and a sign of appreciation, therefore I feel really appreciated and Siti junjung kurnia Tuanku (Siti humbly accepts the honour bestowed on her by the Sultan).”

Diva Siti’s the one

DATUK Siti Nurhaliza has added another feather to her cap or rather a tiara to her head.

The picture perfect beauty was recently appointed the ambassador for the Elegance Tiara Collection’s limited edition jewellery line.

Siti … overwhelmed to be the ambassador.
“I feel overwhelmed to be the ambassador of this collection,” she said, adding that she was amazed by the Elegance Club collection.

Tracy Ong, who is also the founder of Elegance Club Sdn Bhd, designs the collection, which comprised first exclusive tiaras in Malaysia.

The talented designer also sponsored all the tiaras worn by the singer during her akad nikah and wedding receptions at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Kuala Lipis.

Siti has signed a one-year contract with Elegance Club and she will be wearing its exquisite tiara collection for a few occasions held by the company.

“This endorsement only limits me to the usage of tiaras, not other jewellery,” said Siti who looked really elegant in one of the Throne of Pearls collection tiara that cost about RM2mil.

The white gold encased tiara is donned with exclusive pearls from South Sea Pearls and hundreds of diamonds.

The exclusive tiara collection will be available this month.

For more details, visit http://www.mstar.com.my