THE nation’s top singer, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza has responded to calls by Penang Mufti, Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor to postpone her 'Sebuah Epitome Saya Siti Nurhaliza,' concert from March to another date.
The Penang Mufti had earlier called for the postponement as organising entertainment events before Ramadan was akin to disrespecting the holy month.
In an Instagram post, Siti uploaded a media statement from the Nurjiwa Foundation which was established by her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa and her.
"Media reports on the call by Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor for Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza to postpone her solo concert scheduled for March 9, 2024, have attracted the attention of the Nurjiwa Foundation.
"The Nurjiwa Foundation wholeheartedly accepts and appreciates the call and advice from Datuk Seri Mufti and appreciates it," said the foundation as reported by Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.
In the statement, the foundation explained that on Jan 8, 2024, Siti held a press conference to announce that her concert would be held at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
They were later informed that the only available date this year for the venue was March 9.
"We had begun making reservations with Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia in early 2023, but could not secure the date we wanted.
"Given the objective of the 'Sebuah Epitome Saya Siti Nurhaliza,' concert, we decided to continue with the given date," read the statement.
According to the statement, the concert was not organised for the sake of profits, but to collect funds for charity work.
The foundation stressed that the funds to be collected from the concert were urgently needed by the beneficiaries, especially those in Palestine.
"We cannot afford to delay the supply of food and basic materials for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Our commitment to the victims of war in Palestine must continue since we started it last October.
"Just a day or two late can be disastrous for them. Therefore, the Nurjiwa Foundation believes that the concert should continue to raise the needed funds," added Khalid. – The Vibes, January 19, 2024
