KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran singer Zaiton Sameon, 67, is synonymous with her bittersweet song of hope amidst trying times, Menaruh Harapan.
She has indeed been praying hard for her plight and that of fellow veteran artistes to "get better" all these years.
Therefore when the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) announced that she was one of the first 10 recipients of its new charitable initiative Sumbangan Rahmah Industri Muzik (SRIM) she felt a "ray of sunshine".
"What also warmed my heart was that (Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister) Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub is right behind this initiative.
"He has promised us that the government will do its utmost through new policies to improve our lives," said Zaiton at the initiative's launch in Pullman Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Jalan Conlay yesterday.
Salahuddin told RIM chairman Rosmin Hashim and the recipients that the government planned to strengthen laws that protected the intellectual property of recording and performing artistes, so that they received adequate remuneration for their works.
"I don't expect much from the government and the creative industry organisations, but what must be done is that our quality of life should be improved and none of us is left to suffer in silence," said Zaiton who could still sing and had been performing at various events since the Movement Control Order (MCO) ended early last year.
Last November, she was given an OKU Card, which is a registration of persons with disabilities by Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM).
The singer is currently staying with her adopted daughter, Sikah Ismail, 51, in Klang.
In 1990, Zaiton was involved in a tragic accident, at the height of her popularity.
The accident claimed the life of her 13-year-old son, Azirwan Abu Bakar and seriously injured Zaiton, putting her in a coma for three months.
She suffered emotional distress and memory loss caused by the trauma. She was never able to get back the career she once had.
Besides singing, Zaiton also earns extra cash through her Rendang Nasib business during Ramadan.
Under the charity programme, RIM presented RM2,000 to Zaiton and fellow singers Ibnor Riza, Shima, Zaleha Hamid, Ben Nathan, Ali of XPDC and Rahim Maarof, musicians Datuk Ooi Eow Jin and Huang Jun Tian, and legendary entertainer Tan Sri P. Ramlee's son Sazali.