“Sayang Kinabalu” is probably the most popular song of all time in Sabah.

It won the the Most Popular Song category of Pertisa’s inaugural awards, beating other excellent songs like Clarice J Matha’s “Adaa”, Danny Malinggi’s “Kada Oku Sindualai”, Reno’s “Milangad-langad Toh”, Hain Jasli’s “Nokuro”, Ateng’s “Norubat Piginawaan”.

Earlier at the end of November 2008 it was chosen as Sabah Tourism’s promotional theme song for a period of 10 years.

Written in 1992 by Asmin Mudin, it was originally released in 1997 under Roslan Aziz Productions in KL but due to “some internal squabble” it “did not turn out well.” In 2001, it was re-released through his brother, Kimin Mudin’s album and immediately became popular. It helped the album to sell 15,000 copies to date.

A sign of any song’s popularity is the number of versions it spawned – currently there are “at least 5 versions”: DJ remix, hip-hop, acapella, bamboo orchestra and in Dusun lyrics.

Back to the Pertisa Awards Night on 6th December 2008.

Yes, it was performed not once but twice.

First at the end of the official programme:

Then later at a karaoke joint next to the hall he sang it again with practically the whole room on backing vocals (including some prominent local vocalists). It was too dark for my video recorder, so I only managed to record the audio, but I think this captures perfectly the camarderie and relaxed atmosphere :-) Enjoy…

Source
Daily Express, 29th Nov 2008

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