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.