KUALA LUMPUR: Having been conferred the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah (PMW) award yesterday, singer and vocal teacher Syafinaz Selamat feels blessed for the recognition.
The 45-year-old who was among 69 other individuals to receive the award said that she did not expect her hard work in the music industry would gain her the Datuk title.
Syafinaz is also responsible in training the Permata Seni Koir since 2009 right up till now.
She also expressed her gratitude towards the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah who is the patron of Permata Negara (a platform which unleashes young and potential talents), for entrusting her with the task.
“It’s a great honour to have received the award from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V himself,” she said in a report by BH Online.
Syafinaz said the award has motivated her to work harder and further impart her knowledge to the younger generation.
Known for her hit song Ingin Bersamamu, the singer is also a lecturer at the Music Faculty and Performing Arts in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam, The National Arts Academy and a vocal master of The National Choir of Malaysia.