‘Setia Di Sisi’ tops Sabah song chart

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From left to right, Jasni MY and Johan who won Best Lyrics, with the performers of their song, Malik and Saloma Nasir; Norbert Andillah who performed the winning song ‘Setia Di Sisi’ with its composer, Rubisa; and performers of the Listener’s Choice Awards winner, ‘Cinta Kita’, Marlleynney Fane and S. Welly.

From left to right, Jasni MY and Johan who won Best Lyrics, with the performers of their song, Malik and Saloma Nasir; Norbert Andillah who performed the winning song ‘Setia Di Sisi’ with its composer, Rubisa; and performers of the Listener’s Choice Awards winner, ‘Cinta Kita’, Marlleynney Fane and S. Welly.

KOTA KINABALU: ‘Setia Di Sisi’ (Always by my side), was chosen as this year’s local song of the year in the ninth season of the Carta Lagu Artis Sabah (CLAS) Musim ke-9 (Sabah artistes song chart).

Written and composed solely by local artiste, Rubisa Tiasin, the song, which she performed duet at the CLAS’ final at the RTM TV Studio here with another up and coming local artiste, Norbert Andillah yesterday, was also selected as the winner of the best performance.

The 30-year-old mother of three and former participant of the national singing reality television show, Akademi Fantasia (seventh season) disclosed that she had written the song long before she had the intention to submit it to compete in CLAS, which she joined for the first time this year.

“I had written in a couple of years back meant to perform it in weddings… never have I thought it would be so well received here in CLAS,” she said when met after receiving her winning prize, which included RM3,500 cash yesterday.

‘Setia Di Sisi’ was the third song Rubisa composed, although it was the first duet song she had written, resulting in the longer search for a partner to perform the song with. Despite the win, Rubisa is planning on writing more solo songs, one of which she had already submitted for the local charts and played on local radio.

“God-willing I will submit the song to compete in next year’s CLAS,” she added.

Head of the panel of three judges for the final yesterday, Raimon Sukudat, who is also head of the RTM Sabah Combo, said that the ‘Setia Di Sisi’ was chosen as winner of this year’s CLAS due to its commercial value.

“Compared to the other five songs, this song in particular has a commercial value in a sense that when people listen to it for the first time, you would remember it and would want to listen to it again.

“While the other five songs were not bad themselves, ‘Setia Di Sisi’ has the kind of tone and melody that attracts listeners, and has its own dynamic, starting out slow and has a climax,” commented Raimon.

He added that compared to the other five songs that made it to the final, ‘Setia Di Sisi’ also has the potential to compete on higher platforms, although it will depend on promotional efforts and the right channels.

Six songs, including ‘Setia Di Sisi’ made it into the final of this year’s CLAS, all of which were written by local composers and writers and were each performed at the final show yesterday.

‘Cinta Kita’ (Our Love), another duet song won the Listener’s Choice Award for garnering the most votes since it was first nominated. The song was written by Matinin Yukim, composed by Ben Simon, and performed by S. Welly and Marlleynney Fane JL Paul.

The Best Lyrics went to ‘Abadi Selamanya’ (Eternal Forever) also another duet written by Johan Sewajaan @ Han Swan, composed by Jasni MY and performed by Malik Nasir and Saloma Nasir.

The other three finalists, ‘Impian Suci’ written by Shaifulhan S and Hanifdin S, and performed by Ayien; ‘Saat Berteman’ written and composed by Marcel Gatisi and performed by Marcel himself together with Allan, and ‘Jangan Pandang-Pandang’ written and composed by Ellah Sabah and performed by Izzi, all brought home a consolation prize of RM500 each.