KUALA LUMPUR: "If I win, I want to buy a prosthetic leg for my mother."
These were the emotional words of Syamsul Anuar Ismail, a contestant on the singing reality show Calpis Soda One in A Million, as he shared his heartfelt wish and dream should he win the competition.
In a BuletinTV3 report, Syamsul, 37, recalled how doctors had to amputate his mother's leg due to diabetes while he was working in Singapore at the time, leaving him unable to be there to support her.
Since that moment, Syamsul has been determined to find a way to provide his mother with a prosthetic leg, allowing her to live a more comfortable and independent life.
"Bathing, eating, and even daily tasks all require my help. Seeing her depend on me constantly has only strengthened my resolve to do whatever I can for her," he said.
His goal is simple yet profound: to improve his mother's quality of life, giving her the comfort and happiness she truly deserves after all the sacrifices she has made for him.
Syamsul has found a prosthetic leg which costs around RM20,000, which he said is the best option he has found in terms of quality.
With this leg, he hopes to help his mother walk more easily and with greater confidence.
"For me, it's not just about providing a piece of equipment—it's about restoring her freedom to live a better life, after everything she has done for me," Syamsul explained.
If he is selected, Syamsul, who is originally from Sungai Petani, Kedah, plans to use the prize money to improve the lives of his entire family.
"If I'm chosen and have the chance to reach the finals, and with some luck to win OIAM, I will use the prize money to make a real difference for my family," he said.
His sincere and touching words moved the judges to tears.
Syamsul previously competed in Mentor season five in 2010 with Ajai and Amir Jahari. He also tried to join Mentor Legend, but a car accident on his way to Kuala Lumpur left him with a broken leg, forcing him to temporarily halt his career.
After recovering, Syamsul resumed his journey and, through hard work and perseverance, won the audition in Penang, securing a spot in the next round of the competition.
Calpis Soda, a flavoured carbonated cultured drink in Malaysia, announced the return of the iconic One in A Million reality show after a 15-year hiatus. The revamped competition offers exciting rewards and aims to inspire talented musicians across the country.
The winner will receive RM500,000 in cash, a car, a recording contract worth RM400,000, and the opportunity to collaborate with artists from Indonesia.