To qualify as a legendary performer, one must possess not only the skills, talent and perseverance but also achieve record-breaking milestones in their career. Only a handful of people have managed to do just that and one of them is none other than Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza.
At only 45 years old, the artist has earned the title of Malaysia’s No.1 singer and has yet to be dethroned by anyone. It appears that the mother-of-two might be honoured with an official title by the government but some suggested that Dato Sheila Majid should earn the title first instead. Here’s the story:
Earlier this week, it was reported that Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza might be honoured with the Biduanita Negara (roughly translates to National Vocalist) title by the Malaysian government. Previously, only two female singers have been honoured with the title, which is Puan Sri Saloma and Datuk Sharifah Aini. Speaking to reporters, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil that the matter is still being discussed but assured that his ministry is doing its best to honour the nation’s no. 1 entertainer.
News of the singer possibly receiving this title had fans divided on Twitter with many arguing if the “Nirmala” songstress actually deserves the honour. Thus, Dato Sheila Majid started trending as many believed that the veteran performer should receive the honour before Siti Nurhaliza. As seen in the screenshots below, fans started comparing the two legend’s achievements to justify which one of them should be known as Biduanita Negara.
Fans of Sheila Majid argued that the 59-year-old should receive the title as she has achieved international milestones during her era such as performing in the UK, her albums being advertised on Japanese TV and is one of the most demanded singers to perform in Indonesia to this day. Not to mention, she has been in the entertainment industry for 40 years.
Those siding with Siti Nurhaliza insisted that she should receive the honour, saying that she has a much larger fanbase of all ages and that she has won countless prestigious music awards throughout her career. In addition to that, the songstress is also the most streamed Malaysian artist on music streaming platforms.
Of course, there were also many who refused to join the debate saying that both singers deserve the title as they are their own artists with their own achievements. It’s highly unlikely that Sheila Majid or Siti Nurhaliza are aware of the fan war going on but the latter has expressed that the honourary title does not mean anything to her as her priority has always been to keep entertaining her fans.
