The real 100-year-old music sifu is here, unlike those artificial ones today
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| Ahmad Merican with his son Harith on his 100th birthday at his home in Bukit Damansara on 29 November 2024. Harith Merican Picture |
THE MAN BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF BAKAT TV, JUARA KUGIRAN AND BINTANG RTM
National creative treasure, Tan Sri Ahmad Othman Merican, is in the noblest sense a servant of the state.
Ahmad turned 100 on November 29, and stays a brilliant figure in Malaysia’s cultural and historical narrative.
His contributions to broadcasting and music shaped the nation’s identity, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of creators and visionaries.
Ahmad’s story is a testament to the power of vision, creativity and patriotism, but it has never been about himself.
His daughter, Yasmin, said: “Bapak always felt that he has been given enough accolades, so perhaps this article should be a belated applause for his dear friends in music and broadcasting.
“At 100, he wants to be sure that it is not his achievements alone, but also the contributions of the other greats.
“They had at an important juncture of the country’s development serendipitously found each other to create the enduring music and multicultural tones of Malaysia.”
Yasmin said her father’s centennial will be celebrated like a “family thing” on January 18, a celebration not just for his longevity but for a life dedicated to the betterment of his country.
Invitees include family members of those whose friendship and support Ahmad attributes towards his success as a broadcaster, composer, songwriter, arranger and media strategist.
His wife, Puan Sri Mahani Abdullah, passed on, aged 82, in 2010, leaving him in his words “six wonderful children and 12 gorgeous grandchildren”.
At the age of five, Yasmin was one of the original members of the Merdeka Choir that was formed by her father and music teacher and conductor, Tony Fonseka, to perform the national anthem, for the first time in public on 31 August 1957, at Merdeka Stadium.
A salute to friends
Ahmad himself had insisted in past interviews that it was all a team effort, not one man’s crusade.
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| The geniuses (left image): (back, from left) Alfonso Soliano and Ahmad Merican, (front, from left) Ahmad Jaafar and Jimmy Boyle in 1960. Right image: (Standing from left) Mokhzani Ismail, Johari Salleh. (Sitting from left) Ahmad Merican and Ooi Yeow Jin. Merican Family Pictures |
He would tell reporters to highlight the works of music maestros, Alfonso Soliano, Jimmy Boyle, Fonseka, Dol Ramli, Gus Steyn, Wan Ahmad Kamal, Ooi Eow Jin and many others who achieved greatness.
Ahmad developed a friendship with Boyle (Putra Puteri and Cendering), and Soliano (Gadis Idaman ku and Bila Larut Malam) in the 1950s.
With their shared roots and involvement in Penang’s early musical community, this friendship among the trio led to magical musical creations.
It solidified when Ahmad was given the opportunity to lead the development of Malayan music at Radio Malaya ahead of the country’s independence in 1957.
Ahmad would later compose the patriotic song, “Tanah Pusaka”, that continues to bring joy and warmth to Malaysians.
For love of country
The journey of Ahmad and his colleagues in radio and television began in an era of transformation, where their vision for a united and culturally rich young nation took root.
Through their efforts, Malaysia found a voice that echoed its aspirations, and melodies that resonated with its soul.
These platforms were not just a source of information and entertainment but also a tool for nation-building.
They believed radio and television should be the citizen’s guide and a loving companion – its sounds and words, not just content but the tissue of the people’s dreams.
Creating Malaysia’s soundtrack
Penang-born Ahmad was the supervisor of Radio Malaya’s two-man music department when a nationwide search for composers and songwriters was launched between 1956 and early 1957.
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| Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (seated) held Ahmad Merican in high esteem as a broadcaster. Merican Family Picture |
Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj entrusted Ahmad to unearth talents as patriotic songs were needed for a country nearing independence.
Along with a small technical crew, Ahmad traversed the peninsula in a Radio Malaya van, listening to tunes and building a pool of homegrown talents.
From the frenzy of songwriting burst classics like “Malaya Tanah Airku”, “Kemegahan Negaraku”, “Tanah Melayu Permai”, “Bendera Malaya” and “Tanah, Bangsa Dan Daulat”.
The contributors included Soliano, Boyle, Fonseka, Johar Bahar, Dol Bahrin, Zubir Said, Ahmad Saihin and Zainal Abu.
The majestic “Tanah Pusaka”
Ahmad’s 1960 nationalistic tune, “Tanah Pusaka” has become woven into the fabric of Malaysia’s identity.
The song, about shared heritage and the responsibility of Malaysians to protect and cherish their homeland, continues to evoke strong emotions during national events.
“Tanah Pusaka” emerged from the post-Merdeka songwriting competition, which Ahmad oversaw.
The self-taught musician decided to contribute a song from the Radio Malaya music unit, and in one sitting composed the melody.
His assistant Wan Ahmad Kamal wrote the original words and Dol Ramli, then head of the Malay services department, refined the lyrics.
The song was recorded internationally by Indonesian-born Dutch singer, Sandra Reemer in 1962, later by Indonesian superstar Bing Slamet, the Ger van Leeuwen Orchestra of The Netherlands, and has had numerous renditions of it by various local artistes.
Charming the US
In 1958, Tunku dispatched Ahmad and Dol Ramli to the United States for six months to grasp developments in the international music and broadcast sectors.
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| Top left to right: Herb Pomeroy, professor of music, Ahmad Merican from Radio Malaya and musicians at Berklee School of Music, Boston, USA. |
Eager to introduce Malayan music to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Ahmad went prepared with the musical scores and tapes of traditional and new songs composed specifically for Merdeka.
The Americans, absorbed by the tunes, invited Ahmad to host and narrate the first global broadcast of traditional Malayan music on the programme, Music USA, from the John Hancock Hall via the Voice of America.
He met the famous pianists, American Duke Ellington and Briton George Shearing, and played guitar with Hungarian guitarist Gabor Szabo and Japanese female pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi at a jazz presentation.
As the first Malaysian to study at Berklee, he had formal training in music direction, composition, programming and orchestration.
He earned the respect of the school, opening the doors for Malaysian conductors such as Johari Salleh, Ahmad Dasillah and Mokhzani Ismail.
Ahmad later served for a decade on the Berklee international Board of Trustees.
His return from the US would see the acceleration of numerous musical projects for Radio Malaya.
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| Sweet melody: (Left to right) Ahmad Merican, Unknown, Ahmad Jaafar, Alfonso Soliano and Jimmy Boyle working on the orchestration of “Malam Irama Melayu”, the country’s first presentation of orchestrated music in 1961. Merican Family Picture |
The Radio Malaya Orchestra was formed in 1961, with Soliano as the conductor.
At Ahmad’s invitation, big band trumpeter Herb Pomeroy and jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano, both Americans, worked in Malaysia with orchestra.
Much sought-after, Ahmad was asked in 1963 to compose an album called, “Music of Malaysia in Modern Mode”, in the Netherlands, using only Dutch musicians.
“Sekarang, radio ada gambar”
As Ahmad used to tell the story, Tunku thundered “Sekarang, radio ada gambar” (now, radio has pictures), before sending him abroad to become a TV man in 1962.
The dawn of television in the country beckoned, and by now Ahmad was hot property.
He led a team of producers from Radio Malaya to the United States, Canada and Britain to learn network planning, TV production and management.
As Tunku launched Malaysia’s television logo in 1963 at the small studio at Jalan Ampang, Ahmad knew the challenges ahead in his new role in broadcasting.
His ability to adapt and innovate ensured his impact on television would be as transformative as his role in radio.
He championed the development of local talent and technical people, laying the groundwork for Malaysia’s vibrant music scene.
Talent search shows, Juara Kugiran, Bakat TV and Bintang RTM, bore the stamp of Ahmad.
He would go on to make his mark in free-to-air private networks, TV3, MetroVision, ntv7, TV8 and TV9.
A true national treasure
The centenarian’s birthday is not just a celebration of a life well-lived but a life dedicated to the service of the nation.
The name of the multiple-award winning genius is wreathed in clouds of glory, and his reputation is unassailable.
The back story, the years of optimism, spirited concepts and firing up patriotism into the hearts of Malaysians, gives real depth to Ahmad’s odyssey.
As we begin 2025, let us draw inspiration from his example and continue to build on the foundations he has laid, striving for a Malaysia that is more inclusive, vibrant, and united.
Uploaded and adapted from the article written by Frankie D'Cruz, first published by FMT, dated 1 January 2025.
| Uploaded/adapted by Fauzi Kadir Chief Editor
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