Siti Nurhaliza: Keeping matters plain and simple

Siti Nurhaliza: Keeping matters plain and simple

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Unless she has a split personality, singer Siti Nurhaliza is
unbelievably nice.

It is not the kind of ingratiating nice that makes you say
"oh, puhleeeze" and roll your eyes.

It is just unfailingly nice. Nice nice, that girl-next-door
niceness.

At a recent media conference in Jakarta to promote her new
album, Sanggar Mustika (House of Precious Stones), she smiled a
lot and answered thoroughly and politely.

Yes, she does give cliched and predictable comments. For
instance, when asked about what she think about people calling
her a diva, she said, "I don't think I'm special. In the six
years of my career, there are still a lot of things that I must
learn. I'm grateful, though.

"But it doesn't mean I'm the best."

Cliched indeed, but her sincerity came through. It is what
makes the 23-year-old Malaysian special: her attitude, or,
rather, lack of it.

Her modesty, beauty and huge talent have led to the
skyrocketing success of her career. Ever since her 1996 self-
titled album, she has won over the public in her homeland, and
here as well.

Particularly memorable was how she overshadowed Krisdayanti at
the DIVASEA (Diva Southeast Asia) concert in November 2001.

Siti performed a duet with Krisdayanti, singing the latter's
Menghitung Hari (Counting The Day).

And what a performance it was. Looking calm and mature, she
sang the song with her beautiful voice and with such skillful
improvisation that it left Indonesia's most famous singer
floored.

Siti also knows what she wants to do with her career. While
her peers dig R&B and a more contemporary sound, she has chosen
traditional Malay music, along with the release of pop albums.

Sanggar, her ninth album, is a traditional Malay record with
heavy Islamic nuances. The first single, Nirmala (Pure), is a
story about Prophet Muhammad's favorite wife, Siti Aisyah.

"This new album is very good because it conveys positive
things and good advice," said Siti, who has won over 66 singing
competitions, both local and international.

As for the choice of Malay music, she said that it is her
responsibility as a singer to revive traditional music.

"I have teenage fans, I want them to appreciate traditional
music, too. I also have an older audience who likes that kind of
music."

Siti usually releases two albums in one year; a pop album at
the beginning of the year, and a traditional one at the end.

Her image may be traditional but, with her prim, conventional
wardrobe covering her whole body, there is the feeling that
perhaps she could lighten up a bit and show some flesh.

Her shoulder-length hair is shorter than when she started out,
but the long dresses have stayed put.

"Well, the style comes from within me. It's suitable for my
music," she said.

She insisted, not altogether convincingly, that she still in
touch with the latest fashions and wears more casual and sporty
clothes off stage.

Siti acknowledged her conventional fashion statement had a lot
to do with her religious beliefs.

"I would never wear something Britney Spears wear. I don't
like something 'inviting'. I still respect tradition."

And that includes refusing to be photographed with any male
unless there is a reasonable purpose, due to fear of controversy,
fitnah (slander) and getting a bad name.

It's that squeaky-clean reputation that earned her a contract
with international cosmetic company Maybelline for her home
market.

Still, Siti can get riled too, and she was upset when Utusan
Malaysia newspaper accused her of forgetting her roots and
singing only for the wealthy

Growing up in Pahang, Malaysia, money was hard to come by in
her family, and Siti even helped out by selling snacks with her
mother.

That's why the claim she has forgotten where she came from
really rankles her.

"That accusation is 100 percent untrue. I have denied it. I
never forget my roots and am never picky concerning an audience.
I have some charity performances but never expose it.

"Why should we expose something like that? In Islam, that's
called riya (a showy good deed)."

Before the conference ended, she was asked to sing one of her
songs, and, nice to the end, she agreed. First, however, she told
people that stopping piracy begins at home by not buying pirated
goods.

Then, a piece of Nirmala was sang a cappella, with Siti
showing that versatile and magnificent voice.