‘Aku Negaraku’ – a song for the people

PETALING JAYA: “I am my country” – that’s the underlying message behind Aku Negaraku, the new song introduced in schools throughout the country on May 16.

The patriotic song, composed by Audi Mok, with lyrics by Shazee Ishak and Ad Samad, has a contemporary beat to appeal to students, who will sing it during the school assembly.

 

 

“The thing about patriotic songs in Malaysia is that they are ‘old sounding’ – you always think of marching bands when they are played. I wanted to make Aku Negaraku more relevant,” said Mok in an interview at Fuze Studio here on May 25.

The 46-year-old musician has been in the industry for about three decades and has composed songs for well-known Malaysian artistes such as Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Faizal Tahir, Ning Baizura and OAG.

He added that many patriotic songs often “come from the top down and (dictate) what you should do for your country”.

Music to one’s ears: Shazee (standing) and Mok listening to ‘Aku Negaraku’, which they say is a song for the ‘rakyat’. 

They address a general audience and do not always speak directly to the people.

“Aku Negaraku is different in that it is a song for the rakyat. It shows what we can do for our country, and ultimately, for ourselves,” he said.

Shazee, 37, said the song evokes a sense of belonging and emphasises that “you are responsible for the future of your country”.

“We wanted to write a song that everyone could relate to, something that affects them emotionally and that they would want to sing,” he shared.

Thus, the song has lyrics such as: I realise my life is perfect here; This is where I serve; To Malaysia I am indebted; In my heart is my country: and Let us build our future toget­her.

Aku Negaraku was originally composed for this year’s National Day celebrations.

“We worked on it for National Day based on the concept of Negaraku, then played on the idea of ‘aku’ (I). Later, we found out that the theme for this year’s celebrations will be ‘Negaraku’, so (it all fit),” said Mok.

On May 16, Education director-general Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof announced that Aku Negaraku will be sung during assembly in all national schools, in addition to the national anthem, and the state and school songs.