KUALA LUMPUR: Describing her late elder brother Nidza Afham, who was found dead in the Klang River, Klang on Aug 15 as her "hero, champion and greatest friend", singer Aufahanie Mokhtar admitted that he would have been the "happiest man in the world" today.
Aufahanie said in a Harian Metro report yesterday that Nidza would have been happy to see her nominated for Popular New Female Artiste at Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 36 (ABPBH 36) which will be held late next month.
"As soon as I received the good news, I actually texted Afham, without realising that he is gone. But nevertheless, he will always be with me in spirit, as my loving big brother, best friend and soul mate," she said.
Aufahanie said that she was "not yet ready" to return to the recording studio following her brother's death and would only do so after a "long rest".
"My late brother was always the first person to jump for joy whenever I achieved something. We went for auditions together over the years, and now that he is no more, I feel a part of me is gone."
Aufahanie said that if her brother were here, he would have encouraged her to move on and reach for the stars as a singer, as well as return to record a new song.
"If I win I will dedicate it to him, not to mention all my loved ones and loyal fans who have supported me from the start."
ABPBH 36, with Teguh as its theme, is sponsored by Conboo and features 16 main categories.
Voting for these categories will begin on Sept 30 on the awards' official website www.abpbh.com.my.
Voting for the Ekstra! subsidiary categories begins tomorrow.