Rhoma Irama returns to Malaysia stage after 20 years

Indonesian dangdut king Rhoma Irama returned to the Malaysian stage after a two-decade hiatus, performing at the Latihan Pestapora Malaysia event at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The concert marked his first appearance in the neighboring country since his last performance roughly 20 years ago.

Irama, accompanied by his long-standing band Soneta, captivated the audience with a setlist of his well-known songs, including "Euphoria," "Judi," "Keramat," and "Kata Pujangga." The performance ignited a lively atmosphere, with young Malaysians and Indonesian citizens present joining in the music.

A notable moment of the festival was the collaboration between Rhoma Irama and the Indonesian contemporary band Maliq D'essentials during the song "Kata Pujangga." This joint performance brought together different generations of Indonesian music on a single stage in Malaysia.

The Latihan Pestapora event also featured other Indonesian artists such as Tulus, Tipe-X, Bernadya, and Nadhif Basalamah, alongside several Malaysian musicians. Rhoma Irama expressed his long-held desire to perform again for his Malaysian fans, highlighting the special connection he feels with the country. The event serves as a prelude to the larger Pestapora music festival scheduled in Indonesia.

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I have already held 10 concerts in Malaysia. But the last time I performed in Malaysia was perhaps 20 years ago.