Future of the nation: Young performers showing their moves during a welcoming dance at the National Unity Week celebration at the Kuching Waterfront. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Setia Perpaduan, the theme song of National Unity Week, celebrates the spirit of Malaysia by bringing together the nation’s major ethnic groups to spread the message of unity.
Veteran artiste Datuk DJ Dave, who composed the song, said it was inspired by none other than Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
“Last year I had an audience with the King, who wanted me to compose a song that represents every major ethnic group in the country.
“That was Tuanku’s idea. He wanted every ethnic group to sing a line in the song in their own language and be proud Malaysians,” he told The Star.
Dave began composing the song on the piano, working with musician S. Atan on the arrangement and Dr Lim Swee Tin, who wrote the lyrics.
He also incorporated ethnic instruments from different parts of the country into the music.
“The opening part features the oboe from Kelantan. I also used sape from Sarawak, tabla for the Tamil part, Chinese instruments for the Chinese part, kompang for the Malay effect and bhangra for the last part.
“I recorded the song with 13 artistes and we managed to do a video as well.
“I’m honoured to have been given the task of making the song a reality and have it selected to be the main showcase of National Unity Week,” he said.
Dave said the King was very much involved in the song and helped to change one or two parts of the lyrics.
“His Majesty is, after all, a symbol of unity in this country,” he added.
On the lyrics, he said Lim came up with the first line to convey the important message that our differences do not separate us.
“Today, we must preserve this unity in diversity. We must live with it and practise it. My hope is that schoolchildren will start learning unity from young,” he said.
Dave added that unity had always been important to him.
He said his first hit, Maafkanlah in 1972, was also about uniting people.
“It had a Chinese beat, an Indian melody and Malay lyrics,” he said, adding that music and sports were two things that could unite Malaysians.
