KUALA LUMPUR: When Americans and people the world over were glued to the TV set on the day of the Presidential elections in the US on Nov 8, our darling singer-songwriter Yunalis Zara’ai was also doing the same.
As she watched, and making music in the studio, she posted on her Twitter account: “In the studio with @ZHUmusic, making amazing music while following the US election updates and having mini heart attacks.”
It is understandable why she would be “having mini heart attacks” as she was watching how the (then) candidate Donald J. Trump was leading ahead of his opponent Hillary Clinton.
Almost a year ago, following the massacre in San Bernardino, California, Trump had issued perhaps his most dramatic proposal: "A total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
The proposal has morphed in the 11 months since then, making it difficult to identify Trump's exact position on the matter. He eventually said the ban applied to immigration "from any nation that has been compromised by terrorism," though his original pledge remains outlined on his campaign website. (Some of the most controversial proposals, including the ban on Muslims, had apparently been removed from the site since yesterday)
Being a Muslim woman, of colour, residing in the US, the local songstress has every reason to be worried of what’s to come to her host country.
Perhaps that was why a fan Tweeted to her if she had packed her stuff. As she was supposed to come home next week, she honestly replied: “Dah. Flight next week. Jom nasi daun pisang. Apa punya election ni.. merepek!” (Packed. I’m flying home next week. Let’s go and eat banana leaf rice. What a ridiculous elections result!)
She also tweeted that it was bearable for her who can go home to see her family or leave the US once in a while for work, but some Malaysian students living there would not be as fortunate as her should things take a wrong turn there.
She advised those who had to stay and study to be brave and work harder in order “to promote love, respect, understanding & equality”.
While one fan suggested that she returned to Malaysia for good, she bravely answered that she has to persevere to continue making music there, send a bigger message to the whole world, and that she is not a quitter.
Yuna was all positive in her tweets about braving the future Trump America, but one tweet must have riled her up a bit for her to tweet back with: “I don't know why you're laughing bro. His win is going to affect your life too. “
We all know where she stands and can hope and wish that she’ll continue to make wonderful music in the US and make us all proud of her.
But in the meantime, let’s all welcome her home next week, when she pops back to see her family and to make an appearance at a fashion event held in Kuala Lumpur by LosraVelda, a homegrown Muslimah wear, which is showcasing a collection which is the result of a collaboration between the two.