Stacy receives state award, plans to nurture Sabah's young singing talent

Singer Stacy, whose full name is Ummu Shaikhah Stacy Anam, has been honored with the Gemilang Maju Jaya 2026 award by the Sabah state government. The 35-year-old artist expressed her surprise and deep gratitude for the recognition, especially considering the caliber of other nominees.

"This award is judged by Sabah Maju Jaya based on contributions to the local community and society. It's not just about popularity, but about what we have given back to the public," Stacy stated. She emphasized that the award holds significant meaning after 18 years in the music industry, noting that being recognized alongside national legends like Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim and Datuk Ramli Sarip was humbling. The award was based on community contributions, not public voting.

This unexpected honor has inspired Stacy to focus on her home state of Sabah. She believes it's time to share her knowledge gained in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly regarding royalties and music production, with the younger generation in Sabah. Stacy sees Sabah as a region rich with natural singing talent but lacking a strong platform and adequate studios for training.

"I want to be a bridge for the young people in Sabah who have great interest and talent in singing. Art and culture are ingrained in Sabahans, they just don't know the right channels to pursue it," she explained. Stacy dreams of establishing a fully equipped training center or studio in Sabah, believing that modern technology and a three-hour flight are no longer barriers for Sabahan youth to succeed.

Stacy and her husband, Akim Ahmad, have a proven track record, having trained new artists in Kuala Lumpur for five years, forming successful girl groups and bands. They intend to replicate this success in Borneo. Beyond her community work, Stacy is also planning her solo career, inspired by the success of her previous solo concert which drew 3,000 attendees.