THE LEGEND OF SUDIR

Sudirman Haji Arshad (25 May 1954 – 2 February 1992) was a Malaysian singer and a lawyer. He was known as the ‘Singing Lawyer’, the ‘People Singer’ and the ‘Elvis of Malaysia’. Sudirman was born on 25 May 1954 in Temerloh, Pahang and was the youngest child of 6 to Arshad Hassan and Ramlah Dahlan (once stateswoman in Pahang during the 1950’s). His passion for singing and entertaining started at a very young age as his brothers, sisters and neighbours would happily let him entertain them with his singing during their pastime. After rejecting to take a scholarship to further his study in science, he continued instead with law and received his degree from University Malaya and was called to the bar and become a practicing lawyer. He married Kamariah Jamaluddin in 1981 and divorce her 3 years later.

Malaysia Tourism Development Board (TDB) has named Sudir as ‘Malaysia’s Singing Ambassador’. The TDB tune, to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia is singing by Sudir. The song was composed by American Emmy, Grammy and Oscar nominated singer and songwriter carol Connors. Sudir also is the first Malaysia singer to perform at The Paddock at the Hilton of Kuala Lumpur and was the singing ambassador for companies such as Proton, Malaysia Airlines and also Honda Cup. Sudir is a versatile singer. He can sing Malay, Indian and Chinese song with outstanding choreography.

In 1989, Sudirman won the title “Best Performer” in Asian Music Award 1989 contest at Royal Albert Hall, London. “Malaysia’s No 1 Entertainer”. That is title for Sudir. Naturally he was chosen to be the performer at national functions and competition. In most cases, he would fork out his own money to make his concert successful. He is also well known for his charity work where he helped invite veteran artist to have spots in shows. Money charity for mosque and people in need is something he would do willingly. During his life he had also adopted and brought up an Indian boy from poor family and he actively seeks charity work through PAPITA (Malaysia Singer Association).

On 4.00 am in the morning on the 22 February 1992, Malaysia has lost a diamond which is not having any replacement. All Malaysian has sad for the lost of someone that has blossomed the country in the entertainment world. He was rumored to have die from AIDS as it was a hot topic in the 80s and others insisted that it was witchcraft (since his death cause was never registered as AIDS as it was by law then to register cause of death under the Ministry of Health). The cause of his death become a topic of discussion among the media with some speculating that is actual cause of death took place even earlier than recorded and was believed that he was buried in UK. His sister and Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (now Minister of Home Affairs) however, announced that he died from a stroke known as cerebrovascular. Sudir was died at 37 years old.

Along his life, his had acting in Kami film at 1982. He had 33 albums which is 19 is major albums and 14 is compilation albums. Apart of his popular song is likes, Tanggal 31 Ogos, Apa Khabar Orang Kampong, Ayah dan Ibu, Balik Kampong, Aku Penganggur, Basikal Tua, Chow Kit Road, Kahwin Lari (Ding Geding Gale), Toyol, Merisik Khabar, Salam Terakhir and ex cetera. Salam Terakhir is the last songs from Sudir.

A lot of achievement that Sudir got when his life like ;

Ø “Malaysia’s singing ambassador” MTDC 1985 (“to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia”)
Ø Persembahan Terbaik Anugerah Juara Lagu tv3 1987
Ø Penyanyi Lelaki Popular, Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 1989
Ø Asia’s Number One Performer 1989. Salem Music Award London
Ø Malaysia Guinness Award
Ø Ahli Mangku Negara by Yang di-Pertuan Agong 1988
Ø Ahli Mahkota Pahang by Sultan of Pahang 1990
Ø No. 1 Malaysian Singer (from New Straits Times)

There are the famous quotes about sudir…

“Title is not measurement of a man but by his contribution” – Sudirman
“He now knows where he can go if he tires of Malaysia”. – The Straits Times, Singapore
“The dimunitive singer’s popularity has gone from strength to strength, and he has visited almost every town in Malaysia, thrilling audiences with his dramatic stage act.” – Patrick Teoh
“I feel very saddened for the lost of someone that has blossomed the country in the entertainment world. His loss will be felt by the whole nation because during his lifetime he was loved by so many.” – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad

Nilai Cinta Mu

Pernah dulu kufikirkan

Tanpa cinta tak mengapa

Bila kau pergi kurasakan

Sunyinya dihati

Baru kini kutahu

Nilai cintamu

( 1 )Kurenungi gambarmu

Kubaca surat surat mu

Namun pedihnya kuterasa

Tanpa kau bersama

Kuharap dikau pun

Begitu jua

( korus )Kini aku mengerti

Hanya engkau pelita hati

Semua yang kau korbankan

Hanyalah untukku

Akan tetapku kenang

Kasihmu terhadap diriku

Janji untuk bersama

Sehidup dan semati

( ulang 1 saja )

( korus )Andainya kau kembali

Kan ku curahkan rasa hat

iAkan aku buktikanCintaku yang suci

Berikan ku harapan

Untuk bersamamu semula

Akan aku buktikan

Nilai cintaku...

references

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sudirman_hj_arshad

2. ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/sudirman_hj_arshad