'I am forgiving and not resentful'

Popularly known as Iis Dahlia, Iis Laeliyah, 29, is an icon of the country's dangdut music industry who further boosts her popularity by belting out Indian duets with singer Ashraff. Now, the single mother of two-and-half-year-old Salsadilla Juwita -- her child with former husband Dadang Indrajaya -- has a new plan: to release a new album where she will sing a dangdut song in English. She talked recently to The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri Hastuti on matters close to her life.

What characteristic do you like about yourself?

I am a forgiving and not resentful person even if I am deeply hurt by someone. Not everybody is like that, I thank God for this. I believe it is God who will repay for the pain people have done to me.

What makes you sad?

I am sensitive in things related to my family. I was really, really sad when my father passed away in 1993. At that time, I had not given a lot to my parents, although I know they would never have asked me. One of my obsessions is that I want to make my family happy.

I am also sad whenever I see my daughter. I feel really sorry for her because I cannot be like other mothers who totally take care their children or spend time with them. However, I try to balance this guilty feeling by believing that what I do outside the house, leaving her at home, is only for her good.

How do you see a true friendship?

My comment may sound like a cliche but I think there is no other answer: friendship is something that we should develop sincerely with other people. We share good and bad times. My manager now is my best friend.

What three things would you carry with you to a deserted island?

Sunblock, sunglasses and a bikini so I can enjoy the beauty of the island. It would be a waste if we go that far and not enjoy anything.

What things do you always carry with you?

My cellular phone and wallet. I can't live without the telephone. If I don't bring it, it as if half of my soul is missing since I use it to call my daughter and my friends.

What would you do if you had other choices?

I would like to stay at home with my daughter. I feel so sorry for not being around her anytime she wants to do something with me, like eating, taking a bath. Just anything. I realize I spend more time outside the house while she has to stay with her baby sitter and my younger sister. We don't have the luxury of time for both of us. I only hope that one day if we have saved enough for her future, I can stay at home with her, watch her grow up. It could possibly happen later when she starts school. Right now, she still goes to preschool.

Is there anything that you regret?

One thing that I cannot stop regretting is my failure to hold on to my marriage. I feel very sorry for that.

As you said, you are very busy, do you still read books?

Yes, if the books are really interesting. The last book I read was Cara Berfikir Positif (How to Think Positively). The book is very helpful but it is a really thick one.

Do you watch movies too?

I am crazy about movies. I don't want to watch VCDs (video compact discs) because that is not fun. Watching films can refresh me. My friends regularly inform me of good films so I often rush to Plaza Senayan or Planet Hollywood if I still have two or three hours before shooting or working.

What is the last movie you watched?

Vertical Limit and Cast Away.

And your favorite movie?

Philadelphia. I don't know, I like Tom Hanks. As a Hollywood star, he is not handsome but he has such a strong character. In his last movie, Cast Away, he practically plays alone but people are still glued to the screen. I think it's because of his good acting.

But, then I think that if we were paid as high as he is, we would probably be able to perform like him. Gaining or losing weight just for several scenes.

What is your favorite song?

I am a dangdut singer but I enjoy pop music, I like Vina Panduwinata's Aku Cinta Padamu (I Love You). The song is very beautiful. So beautiful that anybody can sing it and it stays pleasant to listen to.

What is your favorite food?

Anything that is hot and spicy, including rujak (fruit salad) and bakso (meat ball soup). If I am dizzy, Helen (her manager) knows what to do. I eat spicy rujak and bakso and my dizziness will go away.

What would you do if you had the power to rule a country?

I would help people. I would contact my friends who own big businesses to give projects to the people so they can work and earn money for themselves. It's collusion but for good aims. I have a business friend, who often feels pity for his ex-girl friend so he sends her some money. One day, I took him for a ride and at a set of traffic lights, I said, "look, those are people (beggars) you should have pity for."

Do you have any plans to change your appearance? Plastic surgery maybe?

As a singer I have to be able to update my appearance but it does not mean a permanent change, just for shows. Fortunately, I am not the kind of person who dares to make drastic changes to my appearance. I think we are more beautiful naturally. I believe in God and what He has given to us is the best for us. I mean no offense to celebrities who have had plastic surgery, this is just how I see it. Some of my friends tell me to have a little treatment on my eyes but I say I don't have the guts to do that.

How do you want to be remembered?

For Salsa, I want her to remember me as a mother who taught her good lessons. I want to be the first person to show her how to pray so that later on, whenever she prays, she will always remember that her prayers were taught to her by her mother.