Here In My Home, a song specially written for “Malaysian Artistes for Unity”, is a national unity project. The aim is to promote racial diversity and unity, writes HIZREEN KAMAL.

REMEMBER the ‘80s single that helped fight famine in Africa entitled We Are The World which was a big hit here? Well, Malaysia has one some what similar, but ours promotes racial unity in the country.

Thanks to singer, songwriter and producer Pete Teo, the man who initiated a project called “Malaysian Artistes for Unity”, this is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit national unity project, made possible by the participation of more than 150 notable Malaysians from all walks of life.

The song, written especially for the project, is entitled Here In My Home which Teo composed about six weeks ago in under six hours. There is also the music video for the track which is directed by award-winning film directors Yasmin Ahmad and Ho Yuhang.

“We seek to celebrate cultural diversity and the ideal Bangsa Malaysia through video and music. Its central message is one of racial unity and by being made freely available to the public, the project is also a gift from all the participants to the nation,” he said.
Teo said the intention is to be as inclusive and representative as possible, whereby the project should not only reflect the racial diversity of Malaysia, but also the manifold sub-communities that together constitute the nation.

The music video showcases 16 local artistes, including Afdlin Shauki, Awie, Ning Baizura, Atilia, Jaclyn Victor, Reshmonu, Jason Lo, Kig Sqwad, Altimet, Suki, Daniel Lee, Nikki Palikat and Melina Willaim. It also features cameo appearances by notable Malaysian personalities ranging from celebrities to arts activists and sportsmen.

The star-studded cast of over 50 personalities includes football pundit Shebby Singh, Air Asia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes, model Amber Chia, comedian Harith Iskander, dancer January Low as well as actors like Nell Ng, Ida Nerina, Maya Karin and Sharifah Amani.

The trailer of the song and music video was shown in a short segment at the recent Anugerah Industri Muzik

“It is easy to say that this is a project helmed by Pete Teo. Let’s not do that. It’s everyone’s project for everyone. It is a collaborative effort and it could not have happened without the artistes’ involvement and those behind the scenes. There has been a tremendous amount of goodwill and I am extremely satisfied,” said Teo.

“They have all contributed their talent and time on a pro bono basis for the creation of the track and the music video in an effort to promote this cause. This is our gift to the whole nation,” he added at the official launch of “Malaysian Artistes for Unity” project in Kuala Lumpur recently.

On his expectations from the public, he said: “I don’t know yet. No one has really heard the whole song or seen the music video, apart from us. What we have now is just the trailer on the internet and even then, it received 9,000 hits within three days.

However, beginning today the song will receive airplay over various radio stations and the music video will also be aired over all television stations in due time.”

Although the track is predominantly an English composition, the song has a multi-lingual section, which is sung in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil. The Bahasa Malaysia version of the track is in the works by Afdlin and other language versions of the song are expected to be unveiled in associated projects soon.

Shot in the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre on April 24, the music video saw technicians and a production crew numbering over 40 people.

“The music video tells what unity is all about. Not like the usual unity images that we have all been fed on over the years with four different races wearing traditional costumes and holding each others’ hands.”

“I think the sentiment behind those kind of unity images is admirable but I think the execution is a bit out of touch.”

“We must understand that the country has changed and the people living in this country are different now. It is also important that the song and the video appeal to the young as well.

“It is an honest video and there is no fancy camera movement. It is only their personalities which will come out,” he said, adding that both the song and the music video were completed on May 1.

Here in My Home is released and distributed to the public for free. Both the song and videos can be downloaded from the project’s official website at www.malaysianartistesforunity.info

It is also available from other channels on the Internet such as music portals, video sharing sites, current affairs news sites and blogs.

What they say...

Reshmonu: “There have been many unity songs which were put forward to me but Here in My Home stood out as it has a nice melody to it. It really signifies what a unity song is all about.

Suki of TV reality show (One in a Million champion): “I like to do something for the country and it is great to see that all of us coming together with the right spirit to make this project a success.”

Maya Karin: “When I got the invitation to be part of this project, I was immediately on board. What is there to question when the project is free for everyone. I am very proud to be involved and my hats off to Pete for initiating something from nothing.”

Jason Lo: When I first heard the song, I thought he borrowed it from someone. To me, it is a great expressive track... a beautiful piece of art. I think it is urgent for all of us to cement the unity that we now enjoy. If we are not careful, it can get out of hand. Sometimes racial unity can flip and then you get racial hatred. This is a great song with a great message, and a great vision.”

Yasmin Ahmad: “Pete is a good friend of mine. The song and music video reflects humanity. The video was shot in a day, and there was no difficulty working with all these artistes who came to show their support for the project. To have all of them who believe they are doing this because it is the right thing to do, is already a success to me.”