KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member of Parliament today raised concerns about the lyrics of locally produced songs.
Citing the song 'Hantu atau Buaya' by Nana Sheme, Sabak Bernam MP Kalam Salan when debating the Supply Bill 2025 urged the relevant ministry to screen songs produced by local artists.
"For example, this song; 'sakit hatiku memikirkan kamu, sakit mataku melihat wajahmu'...(My heart aches thinking of you, my eyes hurt seeing your face) which is normal for those in love. But the lyrics after that say, 'terpulanglah mahu jadi apa, mahu jadi hantu, mahu jadi buaya (Do as you wish, whether you want to be a ghost or a crocodile).' This song has made it onto Malaysian radio.
"Speaker, there was this kid. During my visit, the mother was scolding this kid, saying, 'If you're not going to school, later you'll have a hard time without an education. What do you want to become?'
"The kid replied, 'terpulanglah mahu jadi apa, mahu jadi hantu, mahu jadi buaya.' I am afraid that this kid, upon completing secondary school and turning 18, will become 'pengundi hantu' ( a phantom voter)," he said.
He then went on to serenade 'Malam Bulan Dipagar Bintang' by the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, urging artists to create meaningful songs.
"Produce songs that have value and offer advice, like the songs from the past for example by the late P Ramlee, which are still enjoyable to listen to after so many years.
"Malam bulan dipagar bintang...Makin indah jika dipandang...Bagai gadis beri senyuman pada bujang idaman. (On a night when the moon is surrounded by stars... It becomes more beautiful when gazed upon... Like a girl giving a smile to her dream suitor).
"People in the past, created songs without being 'direct' about being a ghost, monitor lizards, rats, or snakes; they were more metaphorical, but the impact lasted for years," he said.