Siti Nurhaliza draws more than 63,000 to Gema Bumantara concert
Indonesian guests King Nassar and Lesti Kejora joined the Malaysian singer, while Noraniza Idris returned for a reunion performance of Hati Kama.
Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza performed more than 30 songs at TM National Stadium Bukit Jalil, where more than 63,000 fans attended her Gema Bumantara concert despite rain. The three-hour show centred on traditional Malaysian music and cultural performances.
A silat display opened proceedings at 8.30pm, followed by Siti singing Mahligai Permata. Accompanied by the Leman Band and the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra (OTM), she drew on six traditional albums spanning Cindai (1997) to Gema Bumantara (2025).
Guest singer King Nassar joined her for songs including Ikan Dalam Kolam, while fellow Indonesian Lesti Kejora performed Kumbang Bunga and Zapin Melayu with her. Noraniza Idris also appeared for Hati Kama, reuniting with Siti to perform the track after 26 years.
The programme included traditional dance, costumes and wayang kulit, with Siti taking a turn as puppeteer under the nickname Mek Ti. Actress Izara Aishah performed silat bunga before Walinong Sari, while actor Zariff Ghazi pedalled Siti around the stadium in a trishaw during Kurik Kundi.
Siti told the audience she wanted Malaysian music and culture to receive greater exposure on major stages. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who attended, later praised the performers' heritage-preservation efforts on Threads and commended fans for turning out in the rain.
