Tips And Advice By The Late Sudirman To SPM Graduates Are Still Relevant

Sudirman advised youngsters to choose according to their inclinations be it academics or vocational, based on their abilities.

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Recently, on 16 June, the SPM results were announced for all students throughout Malaysia who sat for the examination last year.

Undoubtedly, this year the students are facing various challenges
different from before due to the pandemic that hit the world.

The average social media is filled with congratulations, words of encouragement, advice, and tips for those about to embark on a new journey out there.

There are many options for SPM graduates; some are ‘random’ and do not know how to determine their direction.

Meanwhile, a post with timely advice for SPM graduates on social media attracted attention.

It was a handwritten letter by the late Sudirman Hj Arshad, a legendary national performer in the past.

Tips that the late Sudirman once shared with one of the SPM graduate fans, Mohd Azhar Md Isa, seem to be still relevant with good advice.

Tips by Sudirman. (Mohd Azhar Md Isa via Facebook Page
Datuk Sudirman Haji Arshad)

You Don’t Need To Be A Lawyer Or Doctor To Do Well In Life

The letter was written as follows:

Assalamualaikum Adik Azhar,

Hope Azhar is healthy.

Abang congratulates Azhar for passing SPM. But Azhar’s journey is still far away, and Azhar must be even more aggressive for the times to come.

Some people are smart with theory and can answer exam questions well; some are skilled with physical work (hand work, mechanics, etc.).

Azhar, you certainly know your own abilities. Lessons or knowledge can be gained anywhere, but more important is how we use that knowledge for self-improvement.

The goal is that everyone wants to be prosperous or happy. Carpenters, electricians, and mechanics can be that too if they know how to run their business.

The same goes for Abang. He can be a lawyer, but Abang is happier to be a singer and skilled in this field. Tomorrow can still be a lawyer.

In this world, we will succeed if we do what we are skilled and clever and can do.

In addition, Sudirman also suggested that students choose a route that can offer higher opportunities to further their studies at university.

He also advised them to draw a comparison of the options available at the time.

Sudirman graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. (Pix: Facebook)

Malaysia’s Singing Ambassador To The World

The name of Datuk Sudirman Arshad has always been a legend in our country.

Songs such as ‘Chow Kit Road’, ‘Warisan’ and ‘Salam Terakhir’ are still sung by people.

His melodious voice also echoes on the radio, especially during Aidilfitri with the famous song ‘Balik Kampung.’

However, to what extent do we know Sudirman?

Born on 25 May 1954 in Pahang.
The name Sudirman was inspired by the name of a hero from Indonesia, Soedirman.
The youngest of 6 siblings, since childhood, he was very active in singing and was involved in theatre performances and school choirs.
A law graduate from the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. Recognized as a lawyer in 1984.
Became famous as Johan Bintang RTM in 1976.
The most memorable moment was of course when he held a free concert at Jalan Chow Kit. It was recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records and was attended by over a hundred thousand visitors.
The song ‘One Thousand Million Smiles’ was recorded as a ‘single’ and marketed in Europe. The process took place at the Abbey Road studio, where albums were recorded for influential singers such as The Beatles.
Died on 22 February 1992, at 4 am at the age of 37 years due to pneumonia. He was buried in Temerloh, Pahang.

His success continued to the international stage when he won the Asian Popular Music Awards in 1989 at the Royal Albert Hall, London where he sang the hit song “A Thousand Million Smiles.”

Now, even after 27 years of his leaving us, Sudirman’s unique voice is still appreciated and admired well among his contemporaries, even the younger generation.