'I went as a guest and sang without payment'

Summary

• Siti Nurhaliza clarifies she performed at the Health Ministry's Hari Raya event as a guest and without payment.

• The clarification comes in response to netizens questioning the costs of the event, especially in light of healthcare budget concerns.

• She states she sang voluntarily to appreciate the Health Ministry’s staff.

Pop queen Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin has clarified that she did not charge the government for her performance at the Health Ministry’s Hari Raya celebration yesterday.

She shared a short video on her Instagram stories of her on stage with a clarification to media reports quoting netizens who questioned the price tag that the ministry had to pay for such a star-studded open house.

Siti Nurhaliza said she came to the ministry’s open house as a guest, and not as an artiste invited to perform.

“I sang because I want to appreciate the ministry’s staff, voluntarily and without any payment,” she said.

“I don’t want more people to continue slandering when my name is mentioned in the news based on my performance at yesterday’s function.

“I feel this explanation is important so you don’t write, report and share my name, my photo, on news which is not true,” said the multiple award-winning songstress.

Earlier today, angry commenters, including individuals believed to be healthcare workers, targeted a Facebook post by Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad that shared photos from the open house held at the ministry in Putrajaya.

Many questioned the costs spent on entertaining ministry officials, while healthcare workers are struggling with the impact of budget restrictions.

Based on the photos, Siti Nurhaliza joined legendary singer Jamal Abdillah to entertain the guests.

Malaysiakini earlier reported Jamal had agreed to sing at the event, for a “small token”, upon the invitation of the ministry’s secretary-general, who he said is a friend.

There were also backup dancers on stage accompanying their performances.

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