Singers Jamal Abdillah, Rossa Conferred 'Datuk' Titles

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's popular singer Jamal Ubaidillah Ali or better known as Jamal Abdillah received the 'Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP)' award which carries the title "Datuk" in conjunction with Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang's 83rd birthday celebration Thursday. "Datuk" is a traditional Malay honorific title commonly used in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Also conferred the DIMP is Indonesian singer Sri Rossa Roslaina Handiyani or better known as "Rossa". They are among 643 honours recipients in conjunction with the sultan's birthday. Originating from Perak state, Jamal (left), who is dubbed as the Malaysian "King of Pop", started his singing career in 1973 and is still active in the local entertainment world. The eldest of seven siblings, Jamal burst into the scene after emerging as champion of the 1979 Bintang RTM (RTM Star, a programme to unearth talents in the field of singing) contest. After that, he continued to top the local entertainment scene with a string of hits composed by Ahmad Nawab as well as starred in several films such 'Azura' as well as 'Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir'. Jamal, who married thrice, has two sons, Osama Yamani and Ahmad Zaki Yamani. Meanwhile, Rossa, 35, from Sumedang, Indonesia, began her singing career in 1995 and is noted for several popular songs including 'Atas Nama Cinta', 'Ayat-Ayat Cinta', 'Hati Yang Kau Sakiti' and 'Aku Bukanlah Untukmu'. (photoBERNAMA)