Malaysia’s rich music culture part 9: Zainal Abidin, music as social comment

Music as identity

Zainal Abidin, born in 1959, made a strong impact upon the Malaysian music scene both in style and content. Zainal worked with international musicians such as Phil Collins, and large array of local musicians.

Zainal started his music career with Headwind, playing percussion and trombone, before he contributed vocals. As lead singer of Headwind, Zianal recored five albums, with several hits, including ‘Suraya’, ‘Hanya Di Radio’. ‘Cinta Si Camar Putih’, ‘Pelangi’, ‘Segalanya Mingung’, ‘Kasihku abadi’. ‘Ending One Romance’, ‘Kita Serupa’, ‘Meditation’, and ‘Wounded Memory’.

In 1986, with a number of local artists he recorded ‘Untukmu Malaysia” for the Thomas Cup 1988.

In the early 1990s, Zianal left Headwind for a long stint as a musician and singer at Club Med in Cherating, which changed him completely. During this time, Zainal recorded what would become his signature song ‘Hijau’.

Written by Mukhlis Nor, ‘Hijau’ was one of the first political statements within the Malaysian music scene. Sung in Kelantan accent.

Oh my children, I want you to
take a bath. We are
competing to play gama-ghama
Ale lo ni tuo umonya berjuto
Kito usoho
Farke daghi malapetako
Ozone lo ni ko ho nipih want want aghi
Keno make asak hok biso we pakso manusio Seghemo
bendo-bendo in the world tok leh teh
Sapa bilo-bilo

Hijau has been used in a number of documentaries about the environment. Other songs in the Hijau album touched on issues of gossiping, drugs, the behaviour of politicians, child abuse, and adultery.

Zainal Abidin has a unique musical style. It touched on folk, Afro, Latin, jazz, and soft rock. In much of his work, there are messages about love for humanity, and the environment.

Much of Zainal Abidin’s works are moving, unique and ahead of its time in Malaysia.

Finally, Zainal Abidin’s message to politicians.

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