SITI NURHALIZA, AND A PACKET OF ‘KUACI’

There is only one stage diva in Malaysia now. Like it or not, Siti Nurhaliza tremendously waken up the rest of the gang in show biz when she turned up to be the first artist (after the deceased of Sudirman Hj. Arshad) that made the highest pay-up in South East Asia for a single concert. From the line up there you might be thinking what is the relativity of this young artist and a pack of sunflower seeds. Lets leave it until the end of this one and only page.

What is the problem of having only one diva in Malaysia? Basically, a diva means someone who is really blitz and shaking. It’s not the title that some superior bistro or famous discotheque artists could get. In the last few years, Siti seems to be the only entertainer in Malaysia whose popularity lasts more than 5 consecutive years after her first debut and still, getting the attention more and more. Wake up pals, I’m not an admirer of her. In fact, in many ways, I still think that there is lots of other artist who are doing quite well, better than she does. Plus I never stop to condemn her by the way she reacts when it comes to male-female photo shooting.

The significant indication of having one diva (anyway, I picked up this terminology based from an article in a weekend edition newspaper which refers her as diva) in here clearly shows that Malaysians are still foreseeing physical outlook of an artist. In fact, it is still relevant to say that the priority given to Siti for example, is based on her outstanding popularity, not actually on her ability to deliver live performance on stage. Even until now, out of 10 questions in an interview, 2-3 questions would be on her personal life, specifically about her relationship with any special person and future marriage life. Maybe she belongs to the public but the reality is that any puzzled answer would reflect to the selling of the magazine. (I’m waiting what Juwie and Huzz would say about this)

The same idea can also be applied to Malaysian movies. How many of us watched Pasrah and how much you spared your money to see U-Wei’s handworks? Simple mathematics; even though Yusof Haslam exceeded box office for several times thru his movies, how many of them can be clarified as quality products?

Don’t blame Yusof. He is a brilliant director in the sense on how to tackle the Malaysian viewer. This is the best of him that we could not get from a lot of film directors. It is his recipe to make big bucks. We are not forced to watch his movies anyway. I tell you, he managed to give that kind of shot because we provided him with that kind of ammo. It’s ourselves that actually should be blamed.

What are we should be blamed of? Well, it is very simple. If we are really serious to be a good commentator, then we must know how to make comments. If we want to know how to state good comments, then we need to be a fair viewer by watching variety of movies. Only by that, you can come up with bright ideas even though it might looks typical to others. However, there are viewers who only watch movie just to fulfill the needs of their companionship (just ignore these conservative one track minds – and we should not blame them too, its their brain!).

Apparently, Malaysia is not a place where quality works could be justified fairly. How many of our so-called certified poets could complete a page in one day? There are a lot of them. But for your information, A. Samad Said, the Sasterawan Negara, normally takes few days up to a week to find the best lines for his poetry. Thus, the quality is more important than the quantity. Take your time to settle your precious work. Besides, you are not going to die tomorrow. You only die when the time has come.

And before I forgot, there’s no relevant relativity between Siti Nurhaliza and ‘kuaci’. Either she likes it or not, I don’t know. It is just that ‘kuaci’ is my ‘brain-booster ’ when I discuss about the uncertainty of any subject with my friends at Universiti Bangsar Utama. I use her name because it relates to my idea but most important, to ensure the majority of Malaysian would stop by and read it till the end.

cKnon