KUALA LUMPUR: The lead vocalist of the rock band Dayana, Ahmad Ramli Yaakop, 61, recently shared his heartfelt experiences of living without the support of his children.
Speaking to BH Online, Ramli revealed the emotional struggles he and his wife, Fadzilah Rosman, 57, face as they cope with being neglected by their families.
The singer attributed the strained relationships to his remarriage.
"Maybe because I married someone else, the kids find it hard to accept. They might think we got married because we were 'gatal' (frivolous).
"This is my third marriage, but Fadzilah and I have been happy together for six years. We want to prove that our union is based on love and companionship.
"Still, it hurts that my children seem uninterested in our wellbeing," he said.
Ramli has four children through two previous marriages, and Fadzilah also has four children.
With tears in his eyes, the veteran singer expressed gratitude for the support of an adopted sister and the assistance provided by Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair (YKAT).
"Alhamdulillah, YKAT's donation brought me to tears. It means so much to us," he said.
Ramli and 14 other veteran artistes recently received RM1,000 each from YKAT at an event held at Dewan Maraz, Brickfields.
Ramli's career has taken a new turn as he embraces TikTok to connect with fans and generate income.
"I'm still singing, but now I'm solo because the other Dayana members have their commitments. I'm the oldest, but I'm active, especially on TikTok," he shared.
Ramli credits a relative for encouraging him to join the platform after facing setbacks in his music career.
"When the album didn't sell, and social media wasn't popular, I felt down and went home. I even worked in a factory in Ipoh for six years and later drove a lorry from 2002 to 2019," he said.
His wife's unwavering support helped him return to music.
"She uploads videos on social media to promote me. Now, I have 26,000 followers on TikTok. I'm back, not for fame, but because music is my soul," he said.
Despite his dedication, Ramli hopes for better appreciation from event organisers.
"I charge RM1,500 for a 90-minute performance, but some offer only RM500. At my age, I should be valued more.
"I see other lesser-known artistes being paid well while I struggle. It's not fair," he said.
Dayana, which formed in 1988, gained fame in the 1990s with hits such as Punca, Hari Penentuan, and Engkau Yang Pasti.