Compiled by QISTINA SALLEHUDDIN, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN
SINGER Datuk Ziana Zain’s decades-long contribution to the entertainment industry was recognised with a Datukship from her home state of Melaka, but the milestone was bittersweet as her late parents were not there to witness it, reported Berita Harian.
The 58-year-old singer, who hails from Merlimau, said she was deeply honoured to receive the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM), which carries the title Datuk, at an investiture ceremony on Monday in conjunction with the 77th birthday of Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.
She said she was grateful for the recognition, especially after more than 30 years in the arts.
“I am very honoured, proud and grateful. This award does not define the contributions I have made. For me, what I do is a responsibility to my fans.
However, she said the occasion was bittersweet as her parents were no longer around to share in her achievement.
“That is what makes me sad,” she said.
> A 31-year-old man gave up his job and returned home to care for his sister, younger brother and niece after a rare genetic disorder left all three bedridden and entirely dependent on others, Kosmo! reported.
Muhammad Ashrol Rani, who previously worked in Johor Baru, has also had to live apart from his wife, who remains there for work, while he cares for the three family members at their home in Kuantan.
His sister, Suriani Rani, 41, has been battling Spinocerebellar Ataxia for more than 10 years, while his brother, Abdul Halim Rani, 30, and niece, Norhafizah Abdul Rahman, 27, have suffered from the hereditary neurological disorder for about six years.
The condition causes progressive degeneration of the brain and spinal cord, affecting coordination and movement.
Muhammad Ashrol said all three now required full-time care, while Norhafizah had also lost both her parents.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
