It was an unexpected win for rising local singer Zubir Khan, who was named the winner of the National Press Club Malaysia-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award today.
Zubir, whose real name is Muhammad Zubir Mohamad Ali, received the award from National Press Club exco member Abdul Rahmat Omar Mohammed Hanif.
The 24-year-old, who was awarded RM2,000 and a certificate, said he never expected to win for something he is passionate about.
“It brings me great joy to see my songs bringing so many people together. I hope that as I continue singing and producing more songs, it will inspire others to embrace the muhibbah way as true Malaysians living in harmony.”
Zubir, who grew up in an oil palm estate in Sepang, picked up Tamil as a child.
“I learnt the language and improved my command of it through conversations with friends – and by listening to Tamil music,” he said.
He added that he has always had an interest in Tamil music and is a big fan of Indian composer Anirudh Ravichander.
With nothing to lose, Zubir uploaded videos of himself singing online, although he did not have high hopes. The response, however, was overwhelming: One of his videos garnered 500,000 views, while another reached a million.
This kick-started his singing career, but it was ‘Yennode Macha’ – with lyrics by Zubir and music by Music Kitchen – that truly catapulted him into the limelight. The song has since garnered 14 million views on YouTube, having been uploaded 10 months ago.
“I’ve written songs about love and breakups before, but never about friendship. So, I figured I’d give it a go. Now, that song has changed my life,” Zubir said.
Reflecting on his younger years, he acknowledged that growing up with a disability was challenging.
Zubir was only four when an accident involving a dough mixer at his father’s bakery caused him to lose part of his right hand. However, his loved ones were always there to support and encourage him.
“My family is my backbone. I often said that I couldn’t do something, but they would encourage me until I did. They kept reminding me that I needed to believe in myself. Thanks to them, I can do many things today,” he said.
Fans can look forward to new music soon, Zubir teased, including a collaboration with an international artiste.
Abdul Rahmat, in his speech, said Zubir’s award was part of the club’s initiative, alongside Macrokiosk, to lift the spirit of muhibbah and help create a stronger, more resilient, and more united Malaysia.
“Zubir, our winner for August, has displayed an exemplary muhibbah spirit by bringing together so many people through his love and talent for Tamil songs,” Abdul Rahmat said.
The NPC, together with enterprise solutions platform provider Macrokiosk, launched the Muhibbah Awards last year to recognise individuals, groups, or organisations that best exemplifies the true spirit of muhibbah in Malaysia.
Macrokiosk co-founder and chief executive officer Datuk Kenny Goh said Zubir’s interest in learning another language and pursuing it further by creating songs that have become hits among Malaysians truly embodies the spirit of muhibbah.
“We hope this award will continue to inspire others and impact future generations, further inculcating muhibbah as our Malaysian way of life,” he said.
