KUALA LUMPUR – Hip hop veteran Altimet insists that his track Aduh Malaysia (Sakau Sakau Sakau), which has been widely heard throughout Pakatan Harapan’s election campaign, was not a “diss track” despite ruffling feathers of some pro-Barisan Nasional supporters.
Instead, Altimet – whose real name is Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman – said that the track was inspired by the people of Malaysia, in line with its anti-corruption theme.
For the uninitiated, the track is also a familiar tune, as the melody and chorus are a remake of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s Hoi Hoi Ya Hoi song taken off his 1961 hit film Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, which mimics the infamous Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
“I don’t think it’s a diss track. It’s a song that voices concerns raised from observations made. I don’t really choose how the song will turn out. Using logic when I write rarely gives the ideal results, I have found,” he told The Vibes yesterday.
“I just let the pen go and how it turns out is how it turns out.”
Officially launched on September 12 following its live debut at the Rapat Mega Keadilan event the day before, Aduh Malaysia has since been aired and performed during PKR ceramahs, events, and other gatherings.
The theme of the track revolves around the nation’s corruption scourge and pockets of hardcore poverty, as can be heard in the lyrics to its chorus.
“Siapa sokong penyamun, bangun yang lama mengelamun, duit kau aku semua dia sapu” (“Who supports thieves, wake up those who have long been sleeping, he takes both your money and mine,” Altimet sings repeatedly throughout the song.
The song arrived less than a month after disgraced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak began his 12-year prison sentence on August 23, when the Federal Court upheld his conviction and sentence for corruption in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
However, asked whether the single referred to any specific individual, Altimet responded in the negative.
“It’s not a diss song. (If it was), I (would) name names,” he said.
On drawing inspiration from P. Ramlee’s song as the basis for Aduh Malaysia, Altimet – who spent about a week to produce the track – said he sampled the legendary artist’s work because it was the most appropriate for the theme.
“He is inspirational to me, he really had his finger on the pulse, as far as making art that resonates with his people, the rakyat,” Altimet said.
Similarly, BN had enlisted rap and R&B musicians Noki of KClique, Lah Ahmad and Cat Farish of V.E. and Ruffedge respectively, for the song titled Cukup Sekali (Once is enough), which takes a shot at PH’s short-lived federal government between 2018 and 2020.
The track by Noki, Lah, and Cat was widely shared across Umno’s social media profiles, including Najib’s Facebook page.
Although Cukup Sekali came from the other side of the political divide, Altimet appears to have no issues with it and even lauded the work done by his fellow musicians.
“I like it. I hope they were paid well for it. They are all good friends of mine,” Altimet said.
“I love seeing my friends succeed and make a living.”
Alongside veteran actor-director Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan, Altimet received a warm welcome into PKR last year by the party’s president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on stage during the Meet Anwar session in April last year.
In July, Altimet also won the contest to become the Ampang PKR division chief, winning by a mere nine votes following a recount against fellow celebrity Datuk Hans Isaac.
The recount came after Daing Muhammad Reduan Bachok, who was originally elected as division chief, was found to have engaged in vote-buying during campaigning.
Although Altimet won the contest, PKR ended up fielding Batu Tiga assemblyman Rodziah Ismail for the Ampang parliamentary constituency, where she will be going up against former PKR leader Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
On whether he felt disappointed over not being fielded, Altimet said “not at all”.
“I think the party and I are on the same page on this, I have too little experience to make an effective lawmaker at the federal level. This is considering the current situation of our nation, where I believe we need our new batch of elected officials to hit the ground running,” he said.
“We should place the greater good of the many above that of the individual.” – The Vibes, November 14, 2022
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