18/09/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | SEPT 18, 2025

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Aina Abdul shines at AIM24 o Singer cites Siti Nurhaliza as greatest inspiration

Search’s Din confident Pasya can shoulder role as new vocalist FROM street performer to reality show contestant, Pasya’s journey has now reached a new milestone as he steps in as the new vocalist of Malaysia’s legendary rock band Search. Search’s lead guitarist Noordin Mohd Taib, better known as Din, said Pasya, 31, was chosen based on his vocal quality, stamina and readiness to collaborate with the other members. “Pasya is used to singing and has gained a lot of exposure, including through Mentor (a music reality show by TV3), which gave him experience in performing and vocal control. “We are no longer a new band still searching for direction. So when there is a suitable and experienced singer like Pasya, we give him the chance. In fact, we ourselves also want to learn something from his presence,” Din said at a press conference here recently on their upcoming Fenomena Samurai concert. Meanwhile, Pasya, whose real name is Faizul Ashraff Fauzi, said the Fenomena Samurai concert in Kuching, Sarawak on Dec 13 will be his second performance with Search as he had also appeared in their concert at Pesta Pulau Pinang in December last year. He said the experience of the previous concert helped him understand Search’s rhythm better and gave him the confidence to adapt to the group on a large stage. “After the concert in Penang, I feel more confident and comfortable performing with them, so I believe the upcoming show in Kuching will be even more energetic,” he said. Asked if he feels pressured to sing with veteran musicians, Pasya admitted it is a different experience that requires adjustment, especially in matching his vocals with Search’s music. “It is certainly different compared to busking as performing on a big stage with a legendary band demands adaptability. But with the support of the team and a good sound system, the performance can be delivered with more confidence,” he said. Previously, Datuk Amy

V OCAL powerhouse Aina Abdul dominated the 24th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM24), taking home four major awards and reinforcing her status as one of Malaysia’s leading music talents. The 32-year-old singer, whose full name is Nurul Aina Abdul Ghani, won Best Female Vocal Performance, Best Pop Song and Song of the Year for Jangan Mati Rasa Itu . She also shared the award for Best Album Recording with collaborators Imamz, Peter Chong and Ezra Kong for Imaji Deluxe Edition. Speaking after the ceremony at Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands last night, Aina credited national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza as a lifelong source of inspiration. “I have always looked up to Siti. My mother enrolled me in vocal classes when I was 15 because I wanted to be like her, right through college. To me, she represents the highest point of what an artiste can achieve,” she said. The Puas Sudah singer said winning at AIM24 was particularly meaningful,

calling it one of the most coveted achievements in her career. “This is one of the awards I’ve dreamed of winning. Alongside Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL), AIM is one of Malaysia’s most iconic

m u s i c honour s . Holding this trophy feels like holding my own mic. “This win renews my drive to keep creating. I didn’t expect Jangan Mati Rasa Itu to be chosen, and the song holds deep personal meaning for me. At the same time, the competition was incredibly strong, so this feels surreal,” she added. Elsewhere, Belagu 2 , produced by acclaimed composer Aubrey Suwito, was named Best Album, also winning Best Musical Arrangement for the track Rindu Menyapa .

as well as several guest singers, including Amir Masdi and Indonesian singer Denden Gonjales, had stepped

Faizal Tahir also made waves, bagging four awards, taking home Best Vocal Duo/Collaboration with Datuk M. Nasir for Campak Bintang , Best Nasyid Song with Mirwana for Biar Satu Dunia Tahu , Best Unity Song for Bendera and Top TikTok Video Performance for Santai . The evening’s highest honour, the Anugerah Sri Wirama, was presented to Siti Nurhaliza, in recognition of her over two decades of contribution to Malaysia’s music industry. – Bernama Aina says she looks up to Siti and wanted to be just like her when she was 15. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @CTDK

in as vocalist for Search before the band chose Pasya as their new vocalist. - Bernama

Aina wins Best Female Vocal Performance, Best Pop Song and Song of the Year for Jangan Mati Rasa Itu . – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @AINAABDUL

Pasya. – PIC FROM BERNAMA

‘Johor Amoi’ bridges unity through music WITH her melodious voice and flawless command of the Malay language, Johor-born singer Chua Yung Qi, 24, better known as Annabella Chua, has been capturing hearts across Malaysia’s diverse communities – especially on social media. storytelling competitions, her teachers soon discovered her gift for singing – especially Malay songs. The youngest of two siblings, Chua credits her elder sister, An Qi, 31, for inspiring her interest in Malay songs. An Qi herself began singing in Malay during her secondary school years at SJKC Pei Hwa in Kota Tinggi.

“I was so nervous – my legs were trembling because I was standing so close to the Queen! But that experience made me realise that music is not just something pleasant to listen to. “It also carries a deeper message – that Malaysia belongs to all of us. I’m proud to showcase Malaysia’s identity through music,” she said. Chua’s talent has also taken her beyond Malaysian shores. She represented the country in the international singing competition Sing! China in both 2018 and 2019. Looking ahead, she hopes to release her own Malay single and collaborating with her idols, Ernie Zakri and Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza. For her, the true beauty of music lies in its power to bring people together. “Malaysians are blessed because despite our different races, cultures and religions, we can support one another. When we sing together, everyone feels the joy, regardless of our differences. That proves music and language are powerful forces of unity,” she said. – Bernama

For Chua, singing is more than a personal passion. To her, it is a way of showing how language and music can unite people and bridge cultural divides. It is no wonder that netizens fondly call her “Johor Amoi”, a nickname that has become a symbol of how young non-Malays are embracing the national language as an important part of their identity. “Malay, as the national language, is very important because it allows us to communicate with everyone. We have been learning it since school, so using it is essential as an agent of unity,” she said. Chua recalled becoming fluent in Malay during her primary school years, but it was at SMK Tun Habab, Kota Tinggi that her confidence began to shine. Active in public speaking and

Today, as a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia graduate, Chua looks back on her journey with gratitude. She admits it was not easy to master the vocal nuances of Malay music, particularly its traditional rhythms, but she was encouraged by the warm response she received. Among her fondest memories were patriotic singing competitions in Kota Tinggi, where she performed timeless classics such as Gemilang and Tanggal 31 . One of Chua’s most unforgettable experiences came in 2016 when she sang before Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah. Later, she was invited to perform at the Johor sultan’s birthday celebration at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Bahru.

Malaysians have affectionately named Chua ‘Johor Amoi’. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @ANNABELLA.CHUA