Singer Rocky Din expresses joy and gratitude at the possibility of re-recording and giving a new touch to his iconic election theme song, Marilah Mengundi.
Rocky Din, whose real name is Mohd Hashim Sharif, 75, expressed his readiness to re-record the song anytime following the proposal from Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, as both the lyrics and melody remain vivid in his memory and in the hearts of Malaysians to this day.
"Johari Salleh, the composer of the song, gave me two weeks to practice, and I only needed 10 minutes to record the song on my first attempt.
"I am honoured by this invitation (to re-record the song), and every election season, it brings me joy to see the song become a phenomenon," the popular 1960s singer told reporters after receiving assistance under the National Film Development Corporation's (Finas) Ziarah Seni Madani programme, presented by Fahmi in Butterworth, Penang recently.
Rocky Din, who had a stroke four years ago, said that his health has improved even though he now relies on a wheelchair to move around.
"Alhamdulillah, my health is improving, enabling me to sing and entertain patrons at a restaurant here (Butterworth) every Friday to Sunday," he said.
Since its debut in 1978, Rocky Din's song Marilah Mengundi (Let's Go And Vote) has been a familiar pre-General Election tune that continues to remain popular even today.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Ministry of Communications would ask RTM to invite Rocky Din to re-record the song to revive enthusiasm for voting during election periods, including the Sungai Bakap state by-election on July 6.
He hoped that the new rendition of the song would captivate the new generation and young voters, inspiring them to engage in the electoral process and fulfil their civic duty.