Meet Rocky Din of 'Mari Lah Mengundi' fame (Video)

GEORGE TOWN: Every time when a general election comes along since 1978, one voice would dominate both the airwaves as well as television screens.
And it is not the voice of politicians, but of Penang-born singer Rocky Din, 70, who has serenaded audiences with the electoral theme song of "Mari Lah Mengundi" (Let's Go and Vote).
Rocky Din is his stage name whereas his real name is Mohd Hashim Shariff.
It is Din who is behind the melodious voice, inspiring several generations to go out and vote with lyrics such as upholding democracy and fulfilling one's citizenry rights.
Speaking to theSun, Din said the song was made and modified from the older version of another election theme song, which was popularised by another Penangite – Zainal Alam in 1956.
"The version that I sang was made for the fifth general election in 1978. It was composed by RTM orchestra director at that time Datuk Johari Salleh in Holland. It has remained as the official theme till now." he said.
Din said it all started when he joined the Bintang RTM talentime show in 1977.
In that singing talent competition, Din said he was invited by Johari for an audition with several other singers at that time.
"I was given the lyrics and notes and I was asked to practise the song. After three days I mastered it and was accepted as the candidate to sing the song", he said.
Ever since then, the song has become a mainstream lullaby for every election conducted in Malaysia.
The recipient of Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) Maal Hijrah Tokoh Seni award said he sang the song for more than a decade before several new singers such as Suria Booty and Roy sang the evergreen song.
The happy go lucky crooner has also sung several patriotic songs under his belt and he has been a recording artist mostly under RTM.
Rocky now is a resident artist at Pen Mutiara Seafood Restaurant in Batu Maung here.
Below are two videos of Rocky Din belting out 'Mari Lah Mengundi':