Celebrating Muzik
Posted on June 11, 2007 {6/11/2007 01:13:00 PM}

Siti Nurhaliza and Kris Dayanti share the limelight at the Grammys of Malay music

ESTABLISHED artistes dominated an awards show on Friday that honoured the best in Malay music region-wide.
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Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) 2007, now in its seventh year, is the Malay music equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Organised by MediaCorp Radio Warna 92.4FM and Ria 89.7FM, the event attracted 4,000 fans to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
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A total of 19 awards were handed out but the loudest cheers were reserved for Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza — who attended with husband Khalid Mohammad Jiwa — and Indonesian diva Kris Dayanti.
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Both artistes performed and walked away with some hardware: Kris Dayanti picked up an APM Special Award while Best Female Artiste winner Siti Nurhaliza performed a medley of the year's best song nominees with Indonesian singer Gita Gutawa and former Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, the Most Popular Artiste (Singapore).
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Elsewhere, Hady Mirza — looking noticeably slimmer than in his Singapore Idol days — impressed music fans when he performed a duet with veteran Malaysian singer Zainalabidin on his 1992 ecological themed pop hit, Hijau (Green).
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The latter was also honoured with the Planet Muzik Humanitarian Award that recognises his charitable efforts over the years.
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Other big names who graced the event included Singaporean-born Malay pop hit-maker M Nasir, the Best Male Artiste, Indonesian band Leeto and Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor.
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Malaysian singer Mawi, the 25-year-old winner of the reality singing show, Akademi Fantasia, took home the awards for Most Popular Male Artiste and Most Popular Song. "It feels like a dream accepting this award," said the singer, who was dressed in a white suit and oversized aviator glasses. "Thank God for the win and the fact my luck hasn't run out so far."
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While the focus seemed to be on Indonesian and Malaysian musicians, there were some grumbles at the perceived shortage of Singaporean talent.
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Indeed, all the Singaporean-themed awards were given out during the pre-show. Not that it bothered any of the homegrown nominees.
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"I was too nervous and the rehearsals were pressure-packed," said Imran Ajmain, 26, who walked away with Best Artiste (Singapore) and Best New Male Artiste awards. "But it's nice to see fans and friends come together to support you — that makes the experience all the more worthwhile."

Sources from: TODAY, 11th June 2007