(AFP) A suspect ordered by a judge to sing the national anthem to prove he was a Malaysian wowed the court with his heartfelt rendition of Negara Ku (My Country), a report said today.

Fauzi Hamid, 35, who was arrested for not having his identity card, not only convinced the judge he was Malaysian but impressed everyone with his "melodious voice", The Star reported.

However, it was not enough to get Fauzi, an odd-job labourer from the northern state of Kedah, out of trouble altogether.

He was told to stop singing after the fourth line of the song and fined RM30 or three days in jail for being without his identity card, which he said he had lost.

The national anthem, regularly sung in schools and at official functions, is top of the pops in Malaysia this week as the country prepares to celebrate its 44th year of independence on Friday.