The day that music died - remembering Sudirman

As we celebrate Malaysia Day as a symbol of "freedom and fraternity", it is worth recalling that nearly two decades before the slogan 1Malaysia was coined, one national icon had already been crusading for a united nation free from prejudices.

The late Sudirman Arshad, showered then with accolades such as "Malaysia's singing ambassador", our "No 1 Entertainer" and even our very own Michael Jackson, championed unity up to his very last public concert just before his untimely death in 1992.

"This song is especially for all Malaysians regardless of race and religion, and one of its messages is we must live united as one family, on God's earth, without differentiating race, colour, status or ancestry," Sudirman told his audience on the night of March 9, 1991.



Article by : Loh Chan Hong

Video edited by Maran Perianen

Footage source : Datuk Sudirman "Live in Concert',

EMI & Warner Music