IMR455 - THEMATIC FINDING AIDS VETERAN ARTIST (SUDIRMAN HJ ARSHAD) (1)

FACULTY OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATION OF ARCHIVES

GROUP PROJECT
(THEMATIC FINDING AIDS PROJECT)

PREPARED BY:

NO STUDENT NAME STUDENT ID
1 NUR AFIQAH BINTI SULAIMAN 2020980321
2 FATEHA NURNAJWA BINTI MOHD NAJIB 2020984879

3 NOR SYAHIEZATUL AWANIS BINTI MUHAMAD 2020971525
GHOZALI 2020950975

4 NURUL QURRATU’AINI BINTI MOHD SUHAIMI

PREPARED FOR:
SIR KAMARUL AZWAN BIN AZMAN

SUBMISSION DATE:
4 FEBRUARY 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGE
4
1. Explanatory Notes 5

2. Abbreviation 6-10

3. Introduction 11-24

4. Chapter 25
Chapter 1: Early life and family 26
Chapter 2: Early education 27
Chapter 3: Early career
Chapter 4: Retirement
Chapter 5: Awards and recognitions

5. Conclusion

6. List of Figures

7. References

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Basically, we might want to offer my most grateful thanks to God as we oversaw to complete our
report composing for this assignment effectively by His direction and blessings. Then, we might
want to communicate our gratefulness to University Technology MARA (UiTM) Campus
Puncak Perdana, Selangor for offering us the chance to conduct this assignment.
Next, we might want to communicate our genuine gratitude to Sir Kamarul Azwan Bin Azman,
our Administration of Archives (IMR455) lecturer for giving us this opportunity to complete
this report composing just as giving constant extraordinary support and direction to us for our
assignment. Moreover, we are most unimaginable appreciation to our family who made an
honest effort to give their support by providing us with a ton of consolation. Not to forget all
our companions who had upheld and imparted information to us through this assignment.
Lastly, we might likewise want to thank everyone who had been involved and contributed
directly or by implication in our report composing as they have been shown their work and
initiative until we can finish this report effectively.

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EXPLANATORY NOTES
This finding aid is intended to make it more straightforward to find and use illustrative records and
authentic materials in the chronicles of any instructive establishment, like an everyday schedule.
Both electronic and non-electronic sources can give different notes of data. Records relating to an
assortment of kinds of pictures, papers, and different assets are among the materials accessible.
The objective of these observing guides is to make it more straightforward for scientists to find
and get the materials they need. Every one of the assets is arranged and recorded by the sort of
assortment and ordering rules, making it simpler for researchers to observe the data they need.
What's more, every rundown of document thing incorporates a portrayal to support the recovery
of the substance even more rapidly and accurately. The substance of these observing guides
depends on records held by the Malaysian National Archives.

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ABBREVIATIONS EXPLANATORY
Radio Televisyen Malaysia
ABBREVIATIONS
RTM Intensive Care Unit
ICU University Malaya
UM Sultan Abu Bakar School
Pusat Perubatan Tawakkal Kuala Lumpur
SABS/SMKSAB
PPTKL Television
TV University Kebangsaan Malaysia
UKM Malaysian Tourism Development Corp
MTDC
AJL Anugerah Juara Lagu
TV3 Malaysian TV network
ABPBH Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian
AMN Ahli Mangku Negara
DSAP Darjah Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang

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INTRODUCTION

Figure 1: NST Online, 25 May 2019
Sudirman or sudir was a Malaysian singer and songwriter. His real real name is Dato’
Sudirman bin Arshad. On August 11, 1976, he won the Bintang RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia)
singing competition, which launched his singing career. He was born on 25 May 1954 in Temerloh,
Pahang where is the second largest town in Pahang after Kuantan, the state capital. It is situated at
the junction of the Pahang River and the Semantan River.

Figure 2: Sudirman's mother, the late Ramlah Dahlan
Sudirman's mother, the late Ramlah Dahlan, was a youthful figure in Pahang as the state's
first female elected representative, winning the Temerloh Selatan constituency seat on an Alliance

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party ticket (yacht emblem) in the general election before independence on September 24, 1955.
Sudirman was only five years old when Ramlah died at the young age of 33.

Sudirman was admitted to Pusat Perubatan Tawakkal Kuala Lumpur, PPTKL in (ICU) for
4 days on 17 July 1991. While he was singing in Butterworth, Penang, it reported that he suddenly
collapsed on the stage. A week later, the world of homeland entertainment became in an uproar.
Because Asian No. 1's sudden entertainer disappears out of nowhere. Various efforts were made
by the media to track it until there was speculation Sudirman was said to be paralyzed half the
body (on the left side of the member) due to the mystery disease he faced until that Sudirman is
said he died.

As the most influential performer at the time, the news of Sudirman falling ill became the
best field for journalists to hone their talents on how to find the most accurate information. In any
case, they had to disguise themselves as a patient to Darul Syifa, Bangi, to ask Prof Datuk Dr
Haron Din as featured on the front page of Harian Metro 31 July 1991 titled ‘Sudir Ubat Cara
Islam’.

Figure 3&4: Sudirman dead news & Perkuburan Sudirman
Unfortunately, on 22 February 1992, he was reported passed away at the age 37 years old
at his sister's (Datin Rudiah) house in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur after suffering from pneumonia for
7 months. His burial procession drew tens of thousands of Malaysians. His ashes were sent to
Temerloh, Pahang, where he was born. Later, he was buried alongside his parents' graves in
Temerloh's Chengal Muslim Cemetery.
The city of Temerloh has a road named Jalan Sudirman to honour Sudirman's contributions.
There is also a gallery of figures throughout the city that houses the artist's biography. Temerloh’s

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community should feel proud to late of Sudirman because of he is one of the famous artists and
become a role model to everybody that we need to study hard to getting what we need and become
the successful persons in the future.

Figure 5&6: Road sign Sudirman & Museum of Figures
About 29 years have passed since Sudirman's death but many people still doubt his death.
There are rumours that his be affected by black magic, mysterious diseases, AIDS and so on. The
saddest thing is when Sudirman often screams when it is Maghrib time, causing his family to take
the initiative to call Ustaz Datuk Dr.Haron Din and seek Islamic treatment.
But, there are some rumours about his dead because pneumonia is usually related to the
illness because of HIV/AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is one of a virus that
attacks the body’s immune system came from a type of chimpanzee in Central Africa. HIV moved
slowly across Africa and then into other parts of the world over decades. The virus has been known
to exist in the United States since the mid to late 1970s.
The Malaysian Health Ministry once denied that AIDS was the cause of Sudirman's death
but it was the disease that was often mentioned by the community and even nowadays some people
still believe it even though were denied by his family and even the responsible organization.

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Figure 7: News Never Infected with AIDS

The fact that he was never infected with AIDS. For your information, in the days before
his death, he was partially paralyzed and unable to speak like a normal human being. His sister,
Datin Rudiah Arshad feeding him food through a food tube that connects directly into the stomach
and clean the dirt that is on Sudirman's body.

Figure 8: Sudirman Image

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There is a side where not many people know, despite his fame, he is also a person who
make a prayer as his prioritize and fulfill his responsibilities as a Muslim. He will pray first in the
space provided before starting his performance in his concert. As a Muslim, praying is one of the
biggest responsibilities that we need to fulfill.

Dharanee in one of the Awani’s interview, sudirman will decline all kinds of invitations to
sing during the month of Ramadhan despite the high fees paid. It shows that he is very religious
persons and impossible to do any bad things to other people.

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CHAPTER 1: EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY
Sudirman's astonishing story starts with his introduction to the world on May 25, 1954, in
Temerloh, Pahang. He was the most youthful of seven kids brought into the world to Arshad
Hassan and Ramlah Dahlan. Arshad, who was a finance manager as well as bad habit administrator
of the Temerloh Town Council, appreciated the Indonesian armed force general Soedirman and
picked a close to comparable name for recently conceived Sudirman with the expectation that he'd
grow up to be an incredible pioneer too. His enthusiasm for singing and engaging began at an
exceptionally youthful age when his kin and neighbors would joyfully allow him to engage them.
Ramlah, then again, is best recognized as the first chosen female agent in the 1955 Pahang State
Assembly. As a remarkable government official who had her electorates' advantages on the most
fundamental level, Ramlah contributed essentially to Malaya's battle for autonomy which was
driven by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Figure 9: Bahagian Depan Rumah Allahyarham Sudirman Haji Arshad Yang Terletak di
Kampung Tok Embun, Batu 3, Jalan Temerloh - Mentakab, Temerloh, Pahang, 19 Julai 2005

Accession Number: 2008/0004291W
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Sadly, Ramlah died at a young age of 32 on May 29, 1959 only four days after Sudirman praised
his fifth birthday celebration. During interviews later on in his life, Sudirman affectionately retold
the second when his mom initially helped him to supplicate at age three. He additionally conceded
lament for not realizing his mom better and his powerlessness to partake in her direction during
his growing up years. Losing his mom at such an early age probably caused Sudirman to feel
disliked and had a steady requirement for consolation all through his life.
After his mom's downfall, Sudirman observed comfort in singing, an energy that started at an
exceptionally youthful age. As a youngster, he sang, moved, and play-represented his worshiping
relatives and neighbors. He kept on turning into the livewire of any capacity or get-together even
after 1961 when he started his essential training at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Temerloh.
Sudirman Arshad finished his auxiliary instruction in Sultan Abu Bakar School (SABS), Kuantan.
Subsequent to turning down a grant to additional his investigations in medication, he concentrated
on law all things considered and accepted his certificate from the University of Malaya. He was
called to the bar and turned into a rehearsing attorney.
Sudirman read generally during those early years and frequently looked for asylum in Enid Blyton
books while filling calm evenings or at whatever point he felt down. The intriguing undertakings
of Moon-face, Saucepan Man, and the remainder of the society living in the Magic Faraway Tree
and secrets addressed by the Famous Five aided sharpen inventive abilities and assumed a part in
affecting Sudirman's natty dressing and awesome dramatic skill further down the road.

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CHAPTER 2: EARLY EDUCATION

Sultan Abu Bakar School (SMK Sultan Abu Bakar/SABS/SMKSAB) is a secondary school
situated in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. It was a school that Sudirman completed his secondary
education. After he finished his secondary school with a flying colours of result, he studied law at
the University of Malaya in 1976 after declining a scholarship to continue his medical studies. The
University of Malaya (UM) is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It
is the oldest and highest-ranking Malaysian institution of higher education according to two
international ranking agencies.

He got his degree with third class honours four years later, alongside Malaysia's current
and former Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. In 1982, He
commenced his pupillage under Mr Ong Joo Theam of Messrs Abdul Aziz, Ong & Co as a lawyer.
In 1984, because of the trust given by his supervisor he was called to the bar for the first time and
commenced practice thereafter, but it is just for the temporary due to lack of interest. His heart is
more to art and singing is the chosen one.

During the period he is studying law, he managed to juggle time between singing and
tutorial classes. On August 1976, he really quit from law firm when he entered Johan Bintang
RTM, a singing competition organised by public broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia held
in Malacca , where he swooned the audience with his spontaneous sense of humour and melodious
singing and become a number one winner known as “Juara Bintang RTM tahun 1979”.

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CHAPTER 3: EARLY CAREER

 Bintang RTM 1976

Sudirman Haji Arshad started making his name as a singer when he won the title of Johan
Bintang RTM in the finals held in Melaka on 11 August 1976. He sang “Jali Jali”, a classic song
from Indonesia. Obviously, his voice is unique.

After Bintang RTM, in 1977, Sudirman started recording his voice in his debut EP album
"Teriring Doa", with Warnada Rekod. Although he was busy with his lectures at the University
of Malaya, he managed to record songs to be included in his first EP, including the song
"Teriring Doa" and "Suratku Yang Ini".

In 1978, EMI offered a contract to Sudirman. His debut album with EMI is titled "I'm Your
Entertainer". He re -sang the song "Jali Jali" which had introduced him to the public, including
two songs composed by Ahmad Nawab, "Aku Penghiburmu" and "Kasih". Both of these songs
were also sung by Broery Marantika when Ahmad Nawab migrated to WEA. In that year,
Sudirman was selected as the Best TV Entertainer at the Seri Angkasa Awards.

In 1979, the album "Feelings" was released with the hit song "Gerimis di Lautan" along with the
funny songs "Mat Disko" and "Toyol".

After graduating, Sudirman was free to develop his art career. He is proud of the image of a
village boy, singing songs that are closely related to Malaysian society. Sudirman's career
continues to grow from year to year.

The special thing about Sudirman is that, starting in 1980, he has released 2 albums in a year. All
of his albums were successful and most of his songs became hits. Not all artists in Sudirman's
time and today are able to do so. There are the lists of his albums.

In 1980, the album Anak Muda and Lagu Anak Desa

In 1981, the album Lagu Dari Kota and Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star

In 1982, the album Lagu Cinta dan Abadi

In 1983, Images album (only one album)

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In 1984, the album Orang Baru and Lagu Dari Sebuah Bilik
In 1985, a limited edition Anak Desa Night Concert Album at UKM Bangi was published in
cassette form. It is a live recording of the concert performance.
After that, Sudirman only released one album in a year which are listed.

In 1986, Orang Kampung album
In 1987, the album Kul It
In 1988, Asia's album No. 1 Performer
Sudirman's special and popular songs have been collected in the compilation album of 16 Best
Songs (1986) and Sentimental Emas (1987). As he is very fond of old/classic songs and deli
rhythms, Sudirman also released the album Lagu-Lagu Rakyat in 1989 and Koleksi Klasik in
1991.
Throughout his involvement in the arts, he has produced 18 albums in Malay, and 2 albums in
English, which are “Twinkle-twinkle Little Star” and “Images”.
Sudirman's name as a visionary people's entertainer continues to flourish in the hearts of fans.
His songs successfully describe the daily lives of the people as well as understand the culture and
way of life of Malaysians.
Most of his songs are available for school students, factory workers, nurses and village girls such
as "Pesan Abang", "Jamilah", "Sepetang Di Pinggir Bukit", "Orang Kampung" and more. There
are sentimental songs ranging from the realm of romance to songs with elements of advice,
patriotism, universal peace and love for God.

 Career As An Artist Participated In The World ABU Song Contest
Singapore in year 1985

Sudirman Hj Arshad had participated in the World ABU Song Contest held in Singapore in
1985. He represented Malaysia and only managed to get the 5th place out of 14 participants who
competed. Participants come from 14 countries around the world including the United States,

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Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Sweden, Fiji and several other countries. He was also accompanied
by composer, Manan Ngah. He sang the song "Pesta Dunia", a song created by Manan Ngah
while the lyrics were written by Habsah Hassan. This also led to the idea of Habsah Hassan to
produce the lyrics of the song "Salam Terakhir" when Sudirman expressed his feelings by stating
that he could not live long.

 Singing Ambassador
In 1986, Tourism Malaysia appointed Sudirman as the "Singing Ambassador of Tourism
Malaysia". During the 35th Asia Pacific Tourism Conference (PATA) in Kuala Lumpur, he
popularized the song "Cintai Malaysia, Kenali Malaysia" (To Know Malaysia Is To Love
Malaysia) created by Carol Connors from the United States. This song was also the theme song
during the Visit Malaysia Year campaign.
He was also appointed as an ambassador for various well -known companies such as Proton,
Malaysia Airlines, Honda Cup and an "honored pioneer card member" with Hong Leong Bank.

 Concert at Chow Kit Road
On April 15, 1986, Sudirman made his name in the Malaysian Book of Records after holding his
free giant concert at Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. He has managed to lure and mesmerize
nearly 100 thousand city dwellers to flock to flood the road. The song he sang was “Chow Kit
Road! Chow Kit Road!” and ended with a patriotic song while wearing the Malaysian flag.
Apart from that, Jalan Chow Kit in the Sudirman era was a place for the Marhaen people. Chow
Kit Road became a symbol for most people who are also his fans. So, a free street concert is as a
token of gratitude to its fans who cannot afford to watch a performance in a hotel or hall for a
concert. This has also told us that he was not a materialistic man.

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 Asia’s No. 1 Entertainer

On March 19, 1989, Sudirman was named "Asia's No. 1 Entertainer" at the "Asian Popular
Music Awards". The awards event was held in conjunction with the Saleem Music Awards
Festival which took place at the Royal Albert Hall, London. He is the first singer from Malaysia
to ever win the award. Sudirman defeated 8 participants from Asian countries including Hong
Kong (Leslie Cheung), the Philippines (Kuh Ledesma), Singapore (Anita Sarawak), China,
Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. In the competition, he sang two English songs "One
Thousand Million Smiles" and "Send In The Clown" by styling a funny Charlie Chaplin-style
action that was quite enchanting and allowed him to beat representatives from other countries
with greater popularity.

The song "One Thousand Million Smiles" was recorded as a single and marketed in Europe. The
recording process of the song was done at the Abbey Road Studio, the album recording venue for
influential singers such as The Beatles. This song was chosen as the theme song of Malaysia
during United Nations Day.

 Sudirman in 1980 era

Sudirman gave new value to the hometown when he sang the songs "Hidup Sederhana" (Old
Bicycle) and "Anak Gembala" with lively and joyful melodies.

Songs like "Apa Khabar Orang Kampung" invite his followers not to forget our origins. The
song "Balik Kampung" is a must for the nomads who flock back to the village on the eve of Eid,
but it is not a trigger for happiness but more of a spiritual touch.

When the era of "unemployed graduates" began, Sudirman first revealed in the song "Aku
Penganggur". Even though the song is lively, the issue raised about the stigma of the
unemployed has reached the target.
The song “Aku Dan Duniaku” tells Sudirman with the world of his choice, while songs like
“Baru Dapat Kerja”, “Orang Muda” and “Pulang Dari Kilang” are displays about the souls and
feelings of young people, especially those who have just started working.

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His song invites the community to appreciate the environment, realize the importance of
education, respect and self -confidence, discipline and do not easily forget the origin or identity.
Sudirman immortalized the poem quoted by the late JM Aziz, such as;
“Penyu Menangis Siapa Tahu” song which is actually about a turtle’s appeal for humans to stop
environmental pollution.
Next is “Lagu Pesta Dunia” song that denouncing the people of rich countries who waste food
and prolong famine in poor countries. That year, the song won the best song and best singer
categories at the South East Asia Song Festival.
While songs like “Punch Card” and “Chow Kit Road” are not only entertaining and pleasant to
listen to but also have a message.
Furthermore, for Sudirman no matter what happens, his struggle in the field of art has no point.
As long as this pulse is still beating, as long as the fans are still listening to Sudirman, that is how
long he struggled in the world of entertainment.
“In my career as a performer, I want to do my best so that the community continues to remember
forever” he said.

 Cartoonist and Author
During his life, for 10 years, Sudirman was a columnist for the 'Teringat-ingat' column in the
entertainment magazine URTV, published by Utusan Melayu. He is also a resident writer at
Karangkraf Group. His daily job was to write and draw for magazines published by Karangkraf
at that time such as Bacaria, Nona, Media Hiburan, Mingguan Kanak-kanak and Remaja. The
idea was his own idea, his own painting. In fact, he also wrote in Mingguan Malaysia and
became a columnist in several local weekly newspapers, among which he had interviewed and
written a bitter biography of the struggle of former Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Ghafar Baba in a
tabloid newspaper.

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CHAPTER 4: RETIREMENT

Figure 10: Batu Nisan of Allahyarham Sudirman Haji Arshad’s Located at Tanah Perkuburan
Kampung Cengal, Batu 2, Temerloh, Pahang, 19 July 2005 Accession Number: 2008/0004292W
Sudirman did not have time to retire in the industrial world of the country due to his story of his
illness which is not known to the public. On 17 July 1991, Sudirman was admitted to the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Tawakkal Medical Center Kuala Lumpur for 4 days. He reportedly
fainted after falling. For 7 months he was bedridden, his close family kept secret the cause of the
illness and the location where Sudirman was treated. During that period, he went nowhere except
to his sister’s house in Butterworth for a week.
"He wants his fans to see him healthy, cheerful, a great performer, as a hero on stage. Indeed, he
does not want to leave very sad memories in the hearts of fans after seeing him bedridden and
died," explained Sudirman's sister, Rudiah when asked if it was Sudirman himself who did not
want others to see him sick other than his siblings.
On 22 February 1992 (equivalent to 18 Syaaban 1412), Saturday at 4:00 am, when he was 37
years old, Sudirman Hj Arshad had returned to Rahmatullah at the house of his sister Rudiah bt.
Hj. Arshad at No.16, Jalan Taban Satu, Lucky Garden, Bangsar Park, Kuala Lumpur after 7
months of suffering from pneumonia. The deceased's body was brought back to Temerloh and

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buried at the Islamic Cemetery Kg. Chengal, Temerloh on the same day, 3:45 pm - next to his
parents' grave. Thousands of loyal fans including the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr.
Mahathir Mohamad has visited the remains of the late which is considered a great loss for the
entertainment world of the country.
Your name will always be remembered. The name of Sudirman Haji Arshad continues to linger
in the hearts of his fans. He is still the hard -to -replace number 1 Entertainer.

Figure: Pusara Allahyarham Sudirman Haji Arshad Di Kampung Cengal Batu 2, Temerloh,
Pahang, 19 July 2005 Accession Number: 2008/0004293W

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CHAPTER 5: AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

BEST TV ENTERTAINER, “SERI ANGKASA” AWARDS, RTM 1978
Seri Angkasa Awards is an award that was organized annually and once biennially by the Ministry
of Information Malaysia. This award is made for the performers such as versatile singers or artists
who are outstanding and have given great performances in TV (television) entertainment
programs. During the Seri Angkasa Awards in the year of 1978, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad brought
home the Best TV Entertainer Award.

"MALAYSIA'S SINGING AMBASSADOR" MTDC 1985 ("TO KNOW MALAYSIA IS TO
LOVE MALAYSIA")
In 1985, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was appointed as Malaysia’s Singing Ambassador by the
Malaysia Tourism Development Board. Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was the voice behind the
Malaysian Tourism Development Corp (MTDC) tune which is To Know Malaysia Is To Love
Malaysia. The song was composed by a Grammy and Oscar nominated singer, American Emmy
with a songwriter, Carol Connors. With the great performance, the Singaporean journalists even
referred to Dato’ Sudirman Arshad as the ‘Singing Dynamite’. Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was
welcomed with a standing ovation not only in Malaysia, but also in Sydney, Melbourne, Japan,
Kuwait, Hawaii, and the United States.

BEST PERFORMANCE OF TV3 “ANUGERAH JUARA LAGU”, 1987
“Anugerah Juara Lagu” or commonly known as AJL is an annual music competition in Malaysia.
The competition is organised by TV3, a Malaysian TV network that was launched on 1 June 1984.
“Anugerah Juara Lagu” (AJL) honours the song’s composers and lyricists rather than the
performers. The competition has been held since 1986 and on the second year of the competition,
Dato’ Sudirman Arshad won an award in the Best Performance category that year. He performed
a song named “Merisik Khabar” and it left a big impact towards the audience. The reason is that

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he did not use any backup dancers or props but only a lighter. The lighter was a keepsake of the
days he dated his ex-wife which was the reason why he could deliver a meaningful performance.
POPULAR MALE SINGER, “ANUGERAH BINTANG POPULAR, BERITA HARIAN” 1989
“Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian” or commonly known as ABPBH is an award show
presented annually by a Malaysia’s daily newspaper that was published on 1 July 1957, which is
Berita Harian. This award was originally named as “Anugerah Pelakon/Penyanyi Popular –
Nescafe Classic”. The main purpose of the award is to honour the popularity of Malaysian
entertainers and celebrities in the entertainment industry, film industry, television industry, and
music industry. In the third year of the award show, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad won the Popular Male
Singer award.

ASIA'S NUMBER ONE PERFORMER AT THE SALEM MUSIC AWARD LONDON, 1989
On 19 March 1989, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was presented as the “1989 Asia’s No. 1 Performer”
winner at the Salem Asian Music Awards. The award is held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall
in London.

BALIK KAMPUNG” VOTED AS MALAYSIA'S BEST SONG EVER BY THE READERS OF
THE STAR ONLINE, 2013
“Balik Kampung” is a song about the excitement and desire of going home after living in the big
city. This song is perfect to play during the festive season such as Raya celebrations even though
the song was never intended to be a Raya tune. However, with the endearing tune, the song surely
evokes nostalgic feelings when listening to it. Thus, the song was voted as Malaysia’s Best Song
Ever by the readers of The Star Online in 2013.

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"DISINI LAHIRNYA SEBUAH CINTA" CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
THEME, 2014
In 2014, the official slogan chosen for Malaysia’s 57th Independence Day was “Disini Lahirnya
Sebuah Cinta”. The slogan is taken from the lyrics of one of Dato’ Sudirman Arshad’s songs which
is “Warisan”. The main celebration is at Dataran Merdeka where there was a Zeppelin with the
official slogan chosen, “Malaysia, Disini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta” along with the photo of Tunku
Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the Father of Independence.

SUDIRMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND CREATED BY YAYASAN SIME DARBY, 2016
As the symbol of appreciating the nation’s pride, Yayasan Sime Darby decided to establish the
Sudirman Scholarship to respect the 25 years since the passing of Allahyarham Dato’ Sudirman
Arshad. The scholarship fund was launched in Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre on 5
November 2016 with the help of The Actors Studio. The scholarship is made specially for students
who pursue a degree in vocal performance at any local universities.

AWARDS
As for the awards, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad has achieved many extraordinary awards for his
contribution to the country. In 1988, Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was awarded the Ahli Mangku
Negara (AMN) by Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In the year 1990, he was awarded the Ahli Mahkota
Pahang by the Sultan of Pahang. He also was awarded with the Johan Mangku Negara by Yang
di-Pertuan Agong in 1992. After 17 years of his death, he was awarded the Darjah Sultan Ahmad
Shah Pahang (DSAP) from the Sultan of Pahang in 2009 which carries the posthumous title of
“Dato'”. The award was received by his sister, Datin Rodziah Arshad on his behalf at Balairung
Seri, Istana Abu Bakar, Pekan, Pahang.

Other than all the awards and achievements that are listed above, there are many more awards and
achievements that were awarded and contributed for Allahyarham Dato’ Sudirman Arshad. Some
of it are Malaysia’s Indian Music Award (1987), Malaysia Guinness Awards, No. 1 Malaysian
Singer (From New Straits Times), Sudirman exhibition centre was launched at University Malaya

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library as well as Sudirman Cafe at EDC Hotel KL (2018), a street was named as Jalan Sudirman,
and Google doodles Sudirman on his birth date on 25 May 2019.
Other awards and recognitions received by Dato’ Sudirman Arshad are:

 Malaysia's Indian Music Award, 1987
 Malaysia Guinness Awards
 No. 1 Malaysian singer from New Straits Times
 Dato’ Sudirman's nephew, Atai and Dato Aznil Hj Nawawi performed one of Dato’

Sudirman’s song which is “Balik Kampung” in Southeast Asia Games 2017.
 In 2018, University Malaya (UM) held an exhibition centre named Sudirman in its library.
 In 2018, EDC Hotel KL launched a Sudirman Café.
 On 14 June 2018, Tun Mahathir mentioned one of Dato’ Sudirman songs which is ‘Selamat

Hari Raya’ as his favourite Eid song.
 On 25 May 2019, Google doodles Sudirman on his birth date.

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CONCLUSION

Allahyarham Dato' Sudirman Arshad was a music legend beyond measure, an iconoclast who
enthralled Malaysia with his unique voice and outstanding performance. He managed to capture
people’ heart regardless of race and religion. With his never-before-seen unique dress sense and
dynamic on-stage presence, he almost single-handedly transformed the Malaysian entertainment
industry.
Allahyarham Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was awarded with many awards and achievements as his
hard work was recognized by the industry. He was even given an award in the Malaysia Book of
Records alongside other legends such as P Ramlee, Tun Ghafar Baba, Mokhtar Dahari, Ramasamy
Letchemanah (Mighty Man), and many more.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Number of Figures IMAGES Accession Number
Figure 1 Title New Straits Times Online
Figure 2
Sudirman image Facebook
Figure 3 Sudirman's mother, the late
Figure 4 Ramlah Dahlan Wikipedia
Figure 5 Sudirman dead news Google
Figure 6 Perkuburan Sudirman Google
Figure 7 Road sign Sudirman Facebook
Museum of Figures Facebook
Figure 8 News Never Infected with
Figure 9 AIDS Google
Sudirman Image 2008/0004291W
Figure 10 Bahagian Depan Rumah
Allahyarham Sudirman Hj 2008/0004292W
Figure 11 Arshad
Batu Nisan of Allahyarham 2008/0004293W
Sudirman Haji Arshad’s
Located at Tanah Perkuburan
Kampung Cengal, Batu 2,
Temerloh, Pahang
Pusara Allahyarham
Sudirman Haji Arshad Di
Kampung Cengal Batu 2,
Temerloh, Pahang

26

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Mustafa, A. F. (2014, August 31). Hari Kemerdekaan medan menyatukan minda, hati rakyat.

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kemerdekaan-medan-menyatukan-minda-hati-rakyat

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ever-sudirman-scholarship

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