Datuk Habsah Hassan thinks that as citizens of a country that gained its independence 67 years ago, it is high time for Malaysians to put all petty issues aside and move ahead.
"Considering that our country has been independent for more than six decades, we should all take steps to make it great.
"It has not been its brightest in the last few years, and it is up to us to make it shine again," says the 74-year-old lyricist and scriptwriter in Subang Jaya, Selangor, recently.
Like the lines of a song she penned, "Demi negara yang tercinta, dicurahkan bakti penuh setia...", Habsah hopes that every citizen of multiracial Malaysia will contribute to nation-building.
Yes, Habsah is the lyricist behind that patriotic song many of us have come to know by heart, a rousing tune first popularised by Datuk Francissca Peter in the late 1980s — 'Setia'.
Having written countless songs in her long career, the patriotic songs in her distinguished repertoire include 'Budi Bahasa Budaya Kita' (a song performed by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza).
Then there are the newer ones — two songs composed by Datuk Mokhzani Ismail in conjunction with the 77th anniversary of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) in April, titled 'Cintai Malaysia' and 'Malaysia Jaguh'.
According to Habsah, the formation of the unity government in 2022 had inspired her to pen the lyrics for these songs.
"I hope people will appreciate these two songs. One of the songs ('Malaysia Jaguh') was written with a focus on the younger generation, and their wish to make this nation great.
"Patriotic songs are not necessarily songs with a fast march melody or those filled with bombastic words professing one's undying love for the country.
"It can be a slower number, with lyrics containing elements of love for our parents, family, community or even our feelings towards our surroundings and the place we call home.
"Take the songs 'Wajah Desaku' and 'Di Desa Kasih Tertumpah' for example. These two were recorded by Datuk DJ Dave in 1981, and composed by Omar Taib for Dave's album titled 'Ku Kehilangan'".
Habsah says the new generation of singers should also think of creating songs like these, instead of just those with cliche topics like puppy love.
"I understand that young people like to sing about themselves and what's trendy, but they must also think of something that will open the mind of their listeners.
"While trends come and go, quality works will have a longer shelf life and a potential to end up being evergreen.
"Writing lyrics for songs is not like writing a poem. While only a select few will appreciate poems, everybody listens to songs.
"Everybody listens to music.
"Because of this, it only makes sense to craft lyrics that ordinary people can listen to and appreciate.
"And if you can come up with songs that touch hearts, then kudos to you," she says.
Habsah has been actively writing lyrics since 1974, when she had the opportunity to work with composers Datuk Ooi Eow Jin and Din Osman when she was still working at RTM.
Despite not being formally trained to write lyrics, she accepted the challenge by writing her first lyrics for Bintang RTM 1975 champion Zulkiflee Ahmad, titled 'Terkenang'.
That was followed by lyrics for the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad's 'Teriring Doa' and 'Suratku Yang Ini' for his debut album after winning Bintang RTM the following year.
Like they say, the rest is history.
She went on to contribute more to Sudirman's tunes, like 'Merisik Khabar', 'Terasing', 'Salam Terakhir', 'Gerimis Di Lautan' and 'Abadi Di Hati'.
Others who received Habsah's golden lyrical touch include Noorkumalasari, Anita Sarawak, Zaiton Sameon, Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Rahim Maarof, Datuk Khatijah Ibrahim and Erra Fazira.
There was also Misha Omar, the trio Kenny, Remy & Martin, Razis Ismail, Wann, Jay Jay, Azlina Aziz, Rahimah Rahim, Datuk Sheila Majid, Salamiah Hassan, Fauziah Ahmad Daud, and many more.
In 1984, Habsah became the first lyricist to win the Golden Disc Award from the WEA Recording Company (now Warner Music) for her prolific work.
She went on to be the first female to win Best Lyricist at TV3's annual music show 'Muzik-Muzik 1987'.
She was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian in 2021.