KUCHING, Sept 1 — The Sarawak Information Department (Japen) took three weeks to produce the lyrics for the song Melestari Madani, which is being sung for National Day and Malaysia Day 2023.
Its director Jaafar Jantan, who is also one of the lyricists, said the song caught the attention of Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil when he visited Kuching in May.
“It began as a poem penned by our staff Robin Junang, highlighting Malaysia Madani’s development. When we decided to transform it into a song, I included some elements like the Rukun Negara to add depth to the lyrics,” he told Bernama when met recently.
After listening to the song, Fahmi was intrigued by its arrangement and suggested Melestari Madani be enhanced for a national-level presentation, Jaafar said.
Following Fahmi’s suggestion to include various languages in the song, Jaafar modified the second chorus to incorporate lines in Kadazan, Iban, and Sarawak Malay.
The lyrics touch on the six core Madani values — sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion — which are upheld with the Rukun Negara.
Unlike earlier patriotic songs with predictable “traditional” rhythms, the arrangement for the song combines a mix of genres, said Jaafar.
Frequently heard expressions in Sarawak and Sabah like “Ooohaaa” and “Aramaiti” are included in the rap, with Iban seamlessly woven into the lyrics.
The four-minute music video was released on Sarawak Japen’s YouTube channel three weeks ago.
The song was officially launched during the National Month and Fly Jalur Gemilang 2023 programme in Sarawak earlier this month. It was also played during the Konvoi Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang throughout Sarawak.
Composers Clane Capitalise Buson and Jacobson Lulian were tasked with overseeing the arrangement.
A verse in Kadazan — which includes the phrases “Mogiiso mongunsub pogun” and “Prinsip gatang tasahag” — is a call for Malaysians to drive the country and uphold noble values.
Jaafar said he hopes Malaysians will embrace the message conveyed in the song.
“We want to use the song to convey our love for the nation, especially during national month,” he said.
— Bernama
