KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza has responded warmly to suggestions that she re-record Malaysia’s national anthem, Negaraku, following her praised performance at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit on Sunday.
The 47-year-old singer said in a news report yesterday that she was open to the idea, though she noted the final decision was not hers to make.
Her performance drew widespread praise online, leading some fans to suggest her voice should be used for an official new recording.
“There are people who prefer a male singer’s voice, while others prefer a female singer’s. If it is for the benefit of the country, I am fine with it,” she said.
Siti revealed that she only received the invitation to sing at the event a day before the race.
She had originally planned to watch the Grand Prix as a spectator alongside her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa.
But the organisers approached her husband to ask if she would be willing to perform Negaraku.
She agreed right away, viewing it as a contribution to the nation, though she admitted to feeling nervous.
Initially, Siti assumed she would be singing along to a pre-recorded backing track.
She was surprised to learn she would be accompanied live by the Malaysian Armed Forces brass band.
She asked to listen to the musical arrangement first, as the original key had been set for a male vocalist.
“We discussed everything over the phone. I sang in my preferred key and sent a voice note to the band’s music director. They then adjusted the arrangement to suit my vocal range,” she said.
With very little time to rehearse, Siti practised on her own using the recording sent by the band.
She deliberately avoided adding too many vocal flourishes, mindful that the national anthem demands dignity and respect.
She explained that hitting a higher note towards the end was a intentional choice to give the performance a spirited finish.
“I know I cannot overdo it because people might say I am not respecting the national anthem. I only raised the pitch slightly at the end to give it more energy,” she said.
Siti added that singing Negaraku always fills her with pride, and she was grateful her performance stirred patriotic feelings among the crowd, which included international riders, dignitaries, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.