BUTTERWORTH: Singer Rocky Din is happy and grateful at the possibility of re-recording his iconic election-themed song from the 1970s, Marilah Mengundi.
Rocky Din, whose real name is Mohd Hashim Sharif, 75, expressed his readiness to re-record the song anytime following the proposal from Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, as both the lyrics and melody remain vivid in his memory and in the hearts of Malaysians to this day.
"Johari Salleh, the composer of the song, gave me two weeks to practice, and I only needed 10 minutes to record the song on my first attempt.
"I am honoured by this invitation (to re-record the song). At every election season, it brings me joy to see the song become a phenomenon,” he told reporters after receiving assistance under the National Film Development Corporation’s (Finas) Ziarah Seni Madani programme, presented by Fahmi here on Saturday (June 22).
Rocky Din, who had a stroke four years ago, said that his health has improved even though he now relies on a wheelchair to move around.
"My health is improving, enabling me to sing and entertain patrons at a restaurant here every Friday to Sunday,” he said.
Since its debut in 1978, Rocky Din’s song Marilah Mengundi (Let’s Go and Vote) has been a familiar pre-general election tune that continues to remain popular even today.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry would ask RTM to invite Rocky Din to re-record the song to revive enthusiasm for voting during election periods, including the Sungai Bakap state by-election on July 6.
He hoped that the new rendition of the song would captivate the new generation and young voters, inspiring them to engage in the electoral process and fulfil their civic duty.
Earlier, Fahmi presented donations from Tabung Kasih@Hawana to three media practitioners in Penang who are grappling with medical conditions.
Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, as well as Finas CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib. - Bernama
