'Singapore has always been special': Malaysia's Siti Nurhaliza to debut new song at concert here

Local fans of Siti Nurhaliza are in for a treat, as the Malaysian pop queen will debut a new song at her Singapore Indoor Stadium concert on July 26.

"Singapore has always been special," she tells The Straits Times in a Zoom interview conducted in Malay from her office in Kuala Lumpur on June 16.

"If you look back at my past concerts there, I've always had some exclusive performances. So, yes, I have a new song. It hasn't been released yet, and I plan to debut it exclusively at the concert."

The 46-year-old declines to reveal its title, but teases it is a ballad.

The upcoming gig comes two decades after she last performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. She has staged concerts here multiple times, including two nights at The Star Theatre in June 2024, as well as a show with Canadian songwriter and producer David Foster, also at The Star Theatre, in 2023.

The Singapore Indoor Stadium, which can accommodate up to 12,000 people, is larger than her usual Singapore venues, so fans can expect "a big sound", says the singer behind pop hits such as Aku Cinta Padamu (I Love You, 1997), Purnama Merindu (Lonely Moon, 1998) and Bukan Cinta Biasa (No Ordinary Love, 2003).

"(The place) holds so many memories for me. It's a huge venue and that makes the responsibility even bigger. We're bringing a mini orchestra to deliver a more powerful sound.

"I'm thankful to return to Singapore for this concert. I promise fans a performance they will never forget. This time, I'll sing songs I rarely perform, and some that have never been performed live."

One of Malaysia's most decorated musicians, the Pahang-born music star was awarded the Biduanita Negara (National Songstress) accolade in November 2024. She is the third artiste to receive the title, after late Malay singing icons Saloma and Sharifah Aini. She also holds the title of Dato' Sri in Malaysia.

Siti made her debut after winning a national singing contest by television station Radio Televisyen Malaysia in 1995. The upcoming concert is part of a series of events, including an exhibition at shopping centre Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, that kicked off in March to celebrate her three decades in music.

She is still one of the top singers in Malaysia and was the most streamed local artiste among Spotify listeners in the country in 2024. In March, her 2018 song Anta Permana was included in a playlist of favourite songs by British monarch King Charles III, who described her as an "outstanding Malaysian artiste".

Her 20th full-length album, Sitism, was released in 2023. Her follow-up, she reveals, will focus on traditional Malay music, and she is in the process of gathering songs from both seasoned and new composers.

"What I'll never forget is the loyalty of my fans - that's something that can't be replaced," she says of the highlight of her long entertainment career. "After 30 years, if Gen Z recognises my name, that's the biggest honour for me."

She is touched when a new generation of artistes cite her as a role model and influence, but insists she also learns from her younger counterparts.

Her Singapore show, for example, will feature guest singer Hael Husaini, the 37-year-old Malaysian known for pop and R&B hits such as Jampi (Incantation, 2017).

"They give me fresh ideas. Experienced artistes shouldn't think we know everything, we need to collaborate."

Besides her singing career, she is also a successful entrepreneur whose business empire spans cosmetics, clothes, and food and beverage.

She married businessman Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, better known as Datuk K, in 2006. The couple have a seven-year-old daughter, Siti Aafiyah, and four-year-old son, Muhammad Afwa.

Juggling motherhood and work is not easy, she admits.

"I've been trained since a young age to be disciplined. It's in my blood now," she says on how she strikes a balance. "But I still need rest and time with my children. I also take them to every concert - they are my motivation to give my best on stage."

Show business is a tough industry, she acknowledges, which is why it is not something she would recommend for her kids. "In my heart, I hope they don't follow the path of becoming singers, even if they have the talent."

Book it/The Next Wave: Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live In Singapore

Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk When: July 26, 8pm Admission: $98 to $288 via Sistic (go to www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348-5555)