Anita Sarawak doing well, but declines making any appearances
Half-sister confirms phone call from singer on Tuesday
Singer Anita Sarawak is healthy and well, said her half-sister Noor Kumalasari Mohd Taib.
She said her youngest sister got a call from the singer on Tuesday. Anita had called to wish her a happy birthday.
"My sister informed me that Anita called, that she is healthy and that all is well. I do not know any further details of that call, that was all that she told me," said singer-actress Noor Kumalasari in a telephone interview from her home in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
She declined to name the sister, but said the call was a relief.
"My siblings and I are just relieved that she is fine and that nothing has happened to her. My heart does not feel heavy anymore," she said.
On Tuesday, The New Paper reported that Noor Kumalasari said she was worried about Anita.
The 59-year-old said Anita had not been in touch with her family since March this year, the longest that they have gone without contact.
Text messages and calls from Noor Kumalasari's other siblings had also gone unanswered.
Unlike in previous years, Anita also failed to call Noor Kumalasari on her birthday last month.
However, she did say that Anita, 63, now lives "a moderate life" in Las Vegas since she moved there from Kuala Lumpur with her British husband, Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah, in 2013.
Anita also requested that she decline all interviews and requests for appearances on her behalf when told reporters were looking for her.
Anita has maintained radio silence in the showbiz industry since 2013, the last time industry friends here are said to have spoken to her.
When contacted by TNP last week, her showbiz pals said Anita probably wants some down time.
"Maybe she wants to lead a private and peaceful life. I know she will call some day. She never forgets her friends," said local radio DJ Hafeez Glamour, 44.
Local host Najip Ali, 50, said: "We are past the 'worry' stage now because if anything were to happen to her, her sister would be the first to know. Anita just wants some down time."
In a career spanning over four decades, Anita rose to prominence from being a top entertainer in Singapore and Malaysia to clinching an 18-year stint performing at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1985.
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