[VIDEO] I don’t want Malaysia’s rhythm to be seasonal – Siti Nurhaliza

KUCHING, 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

KUCHING – Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, who led the 25th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM 25) with 14 nominations, said on the red carpet of the ceremony that she does not want the resurgence of traditional Malaysian music to be a fleeting trend.

The 47‑year‑old singer explained that the surge in traditional‑styled songs and the prevalence of heritage‑themed performances at recent events have reinforced her optimism. “There are many releases with traditional rhythms, and coincidentally the previous events were all heavily themed around tradition,” she noted. “So I am happy, and most importantly I do not want this to be seasonal. I want it to last forever,” she added.

Siti stressed that her own album, Gema Bumantara, is not a personal vanity project but a deliberate effort to champion the genre within the wider industry. “Reaching this final stage is already a source of pride for me because I am fighting for traditional rhythm not for myself but for the industry and the next generation,” she said.

She described any award she receives for the traditional work as a “victory” and said she will leave the final judgment to professional jurors based on their expertise. “Gema Bumantara is already something big for me and a great win,” she said.

When asked about predictions that she would sweep the top prize at the ceremony, Siti dismissed the forecasts as irrelevant to her stance on accepting the results. “Predictions are just predictions, but I receive them with an open heart. Penetrating nominations across many categories is already a win for me and for the album Gema Bumantara itself,” she said.

Siti’s 14 nominations made her the most‑nominated artist of the night, underscoring the breadth of her influence across multiple musical categories. The AIM 25 awards ceremony, broadcast live on TVS from the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) at 9 p.m., also marked a historic first for the awards, being held in Sarawak for the first time.

The event’s organizers highlighted the significance of the venue change, noting that hosting the 25th edition in Kuching reflects the growing recognition of East Malaysia’s contribution to the national music scene. No further details on the award outcomes were provided in the interview.

Siti concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the traditional music movement, saying she will continue to support young artists who seek to blend heritage sounds with contemporary production. Her remarks came as the ceremony progressed, with the live broadcast expected to showcase performances that blend modern pop sensibilities with traditional Malay instruments, illustrating the very trend she hopes will persist.

Related: Borneo Convention Centre Kuching · Siti Nurhaliza · Kuching