KUALA LUMPUR: Music legend Anita Sarawak, is keeping well and has been in contact with her loved ones, said her half-sister, 1980s actress Noor Kumalasari Mohd Taib.
When contacted by the New Straits Times today, Noor, 59, said 63-year-old Anita had spoken to their youngest sister Noor Jumaatun Mohd Taib last Tuesday.
“It was Jumaatun birthday and Anita called to wish her a happy birthday. Anita was her hale and hearty self," said Noor, adding that Anita was busy in the United States, where she has been living since 2013.
Noor added that Jumaatun told her that she and Anita had a “wonderful chat” and that “all was well on her side”.
She admitted that it was a relief to hear from Anita as she had not been in touch with her since March.
Noor last met Anita “some years ago” when her elder sister was still on contract with Astro as a television personality (her shows included Bersama Kak Nita talk show, home design shows Astana and Deko Rasa Bersama Anita Sarawak). Nevertheless, they kept in touch from time to time and Anita “always sounded upbeat”.
She continued: “As far as I know, Anita has a business with a friend, and they deal with property market. She's fully retired and stays out of the spotlight, but still communicates with loved ones and doesn't forget her fans.”
Anita, who was born in Singapore, lives in Las Vegas with her British-born husband Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah, whom she married in 2001. They moved to the United States in 2013.
When she last spoke to Noor in March, she said she has fully retired and wanted to spend quality time with her husband in the US.
"Anita chose to retire because she feels that she had contributed her part to the entertainment world, and it was time for the juniors to take centre stage. Nevertheless, she sends family, friends and fans her love and well-wishes always."
Anita, the daughter of the late veteran actors Datuk S Roomai Noor and Siput Sarawak, made her name as a glamorous singer who entertained both Malaysia and Singapore beginning from the 1970s.
With a career spanning more than four decades, she has even performed in Las Vegas from 1985-2001. She later made Kuala Lumpur her home and began hosting television shows on Astro beginning 2003 and performing at dinner shows.
Noor is the daughter of Roomai and veteran actress Datin Umi Kalthum. A popular singer and actress in the 80s, she is known for her film roles including Othman Hafsham’s Adik Manja (1980) as well as duet performances with the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad.