KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) – National songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin celebrated the richness of Malaysian traditional music in grand style through her concert, Gema Bumantara, which drew an estimated 63,000 fans to the TM National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday night.
Despite the rain, the audience remained undeterred, with many arriving in traditional attire, including baju kurung, kebaya, batik and baju Melayu, reflecting the cultural spirit of the event.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was among those who attended the concert and stayed to watch the performance.
Siti Nurhaliza expressed her gratitude to the audience for supporting the concert, which brought together fans nine months after her Konsert Legacy 30 Siti Nurhaliza.
“I am deeply touched and grateful because your presence shows your support for traditional music,” she said, apologising for the rain and acknowledging that the weather was beyond her control.
Organised by SN Legacy, the three-and-a-half-hour concert featured more than 20 songs, blending traditional melodies with creative stage production, including shadow puppetry and a kampung-inspired setting.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Siti Nurhaliza’s husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin were also present.
Among the evening’s highlights was actress Izara Aishah’s appearance as she danced to Siti Nurhaliza’s rendition of Walinong Sari.
Siti Nurhaliza said Izara had expressed her wish to dance at the concert and was chosen to portray the princess of Walinong Sari because of her love for the song.
The concert also featured performances by local singer Haziq Rosebi and Indonesian stars Lesti Kejora and King Nassar.
In another memorable moment, Siti Nurhaliza travelled around the stadium on a trishaw while performing Kurik Kundi, accompanied by actor Zarif Ghazzi as her passenger.
The atmosphere turned emotional during Pesanan Buat Diri, when the singer became visibly moved, prompting an emotional response from the audience before she regained her composure and continued the show.
The concert reached another high point with the appearance of traditional music icon Noraniza Idris, who reunited with Siti Nurhaliza to perform their popular duet Hati Kama after nearly 25 years.
“Siti, please keep going and continue the legacy of our Malaysian traditional music,” said Noraniza, affectionately known as Kak Ani.
The crowd sang and danced along during Balqis, particularly its Syahadah segment, before Siti Nurhaliza closed the concert with Nirmala and Cindai.
Other songs performed included Kesuma, Badarsila, Ya Maulai, Syurgaloka, Dondang-Dendang, Musalmah Manis, Rencong and Masri Manis.
Through Gema Bumantara, Siti Nurhaliza reaffirmed her role in bringing traditional Malaysian music to a wider audience while celebrating the nation’s cultural heritage on a major concert stage.
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