Siti Nurhaliza’s priceless rewards
Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza was honoured by Universal Music Malaysia with a clutch of awards recently but her most rewarding moments for her are when she's helping others, writes Aref Omar
SHE may be Malaysia's top singer with a string of achievements but Datuk Seri Siti Nuhaliza Tarudin remains as humble and genuine as the day she first came into the public consciousness by charming her way into people's hearts with her melodious voice over two decades ago.
Dressed in modest yet elegant attire, she looked radiant and was never stingy with a smile during her recent buka puasa event at the Tun Dr Ismail Hall in the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Organised by Siti Nurhaliza Productions and Universal Music Malaysia, the big do that evening was to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Sitizone fan club whose enthusiastic members have been supporting the 40-year-old songtress all this time.
Siti was very grateful for the support and profusely thanked her fans both old and new for their tireless support.
"Without you all I would not be where I am today. I am truly blessed by your positivity and I am happy to see so many happy faces.
"This annual buka puasa event is to enable fans old and new to have fellowship together and to build relationships. You are my family and we'll have another get-together during Syawal," she told the cheering crowd.
The tireless star had attended meetand-greet sessions at the Bangi and Tun Hussein Onn outlets of her Creacion by Siti Nurhaliza fashion brand prior to the threehour buka puasa event, which reflected her positive and professional work ethic.
UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION
A multiple award-winning artiste with a spotless track record in the music industry, Siti has remained popular throughout the years and she was honoured that night by Universal Music Malaysia for her latest achievements.
She received plaques for her most recent singles and album. Her song Anta
Permana was certified 11 times Platinum and Comel Pipi Merah, dedicated to
her 14-month-baby daughter Siti Aafiyah Khalid, went four times Platinum. Siti's spiritual duet track with Khai Bahar, Cinta Syurga, was certified Gold.
SimetriSiti, her album from 2017, received the Gold certification. Aside from being named the most streamed local artiste on Spotify for 2017 and 2018, Siti also received the Legend Award trophy which was presented by Kenny Ong, managing director of the Universal Music Group for Malaysia, Singapore and Indochina.
During his speech, Ong said: "Siti is really a national treasure and we are really proud to acknowledge her ongoing achievements."
With regards to the awards, Siti felt that they were a blessed gift during Ramadan. She said: "This is a very positive development for my career especially since I have been away from the limelight after giving birth to my first baby."
During the Siti Nurhaliza Productions and Universal Music Malaysia-organised event, which was attended by various guests as well as over 200 fans dubbed Sitizoners, Siti performed Mikraj Cinta and Sesuci Lebaran together with a group of fans onstage.
The kindhearted artiste also made a
charitable contribution to the children from the Teduhan Kasih Thafiz school.
A NEW JOURNEY
During the event, Siti was happy to announce that she would be embarking on a new journey soon. Although she has gone on her Umrah pilgrimage many times, the upcoming journey this year would be her first with her baby daughter.
Siti will be heading to the Holy Land this week with husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, family members and relatives, as well as Aafiyah's nanny.
"I have prayed for this moment, to bring my child to Umrah with me, ever since I was expecting her. Who would have thought that God would answer my prayers so quickly?"
"I hope that everything will go well and smoothly as I bring Aafiyah along with me this time. I do feel a little concerned as I worry about her health and the situation over there where there are huge crowds.
"But I will find the right time to take her over to Masjid Al-Haram," said Siti when met by the media.
She added that she had already taken Aafiyah to the doctor to be immunised for the 10-day trip.