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You can’t go wrong with an opening involving string instruments – they bring out both grandness and vulnerability, perfect for a song that’s both emotional, yet positive and calming. They can attract listeners of any age to continue listening to the rest of the song, without stopping. In fact, with a title as universal as “Be Like Water”, it’s unsurprising how this song can attract even non-Mandarin speakers and speakers of other languages across the globe.  Add Firdhaus to the equation and, trust me, his fans would be squealing in excitement… except that this time, there’s someone else to complement and balance out the song.  

Singer-songwriter Firdhaus is synonymous with the Chinese-speaking world and Mandopop, having been a product of Malaysia’s Chinese-medium schools from kindergarten level, even when both of Firdhaus parents are Malay- and English-speaking. Yes, that can happen when you grow up in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, where its schools can have a different medium of instruction, while the Malay language is compulsory in all types of schools. In a recent interview, Firdhaus needed help with the word “river” in Malay, whilst explaining his new duet, “Be Like Water”, with his duet partner Siti Nurhaliza, “The Voice of Asia”, whose songs have been recorded in languages including Japanese, Mandarin, other than primarily Malay and English.

This 2026, however, marks Siti Nurhaliza’s first full Mandarin single, while attending lessons with both her “tutor” Firdhaus and the leader linked to the Malaysian branch of a South-Korean home appliance maker.

Alongside its music video, the string-heavy song, with orchestral backing, has been released 30 June 2026. Malay translation is available below the Chinese characters because it is generally assumed that more people are proficient in Malay than Chinese, owing to the education system.

Despite having little exposure to the language, “The Voice of Asia” managed to record the song after three hours, having solid enough pronunciation (to not cause misunderstanding), considering her background of Malay-medium schools.

Firdhaus explained that his management asked for a song to do with water and thought of the quote by Bruce Lee, shortened to “Be water, my friend”, as water is adaptable, fluid, and flowing.

The release of the song and music video comes on the back of the challenging economic situation across Asia and other parts of the world, magnified by the recent US-Iran conflict. Perhaps, this song will be the catalyst for you to reflect on the first-half of 2026.

Firdhaus’ voice and perfect pronunciation are the keys to why he has earned both new and existing fans.

Siti Nurhaliza’s “Bukan Cinta Biasa” has found its way via an arcade game in Japan. Her other iconic songs include “Seindah Biasa”, Cindai, and “Percayalah”.

Siti Nurhaliza has previously performed live duets with Wang Leehom in Taiwan at the 15th Golden Melody Awards in 2004, and performed with Gareth Gates at the MTV Asia Awards in Singapore in 2004.

In 2005, Siti Nurhaliza held a solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The duet has been made possible, as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts by the Malaysian office of the South Korean home appliance maker. Dewan Filharmonik Petronas was chosen for it being home to the best orchestras and one of the best options for filming locations. The Budapest Scoring Orchestra provided the grand, sweeping musical layer as a backing to the main vocals, while Dandelion Choir is a vocal ensemble, who collaborated with the former, all under the direction of keyboardist Aubrey Suwito, who also composed and produced the song.

The music video, under the direction of Jasmine Wong, also saw the tie-up between the Yoke Nam Choir and the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (SKOC), as depicted in the music video.

It is the union of one from Gen X and Gen Z, rather than a separation, although music from each generation can be very different. Interestingly, there are those from Gen Alpha who also like Siti Nurhaliza, so it’s proof that music works across generations. On the other hand, Firdhaus’ fans are mainly those from Gen Z and those who have an inclination towards Jay Chou or similar music, and a sizeable number of millennials who are attempting to learn or brush up on Mandarin.

Siti Nurhaliza has been following Firdhaus’ work for quite a while now, so choosing to collaborate was a no-brainer. At the same time, Firdhaus admitted that he was nervous about the song, and pitching it to both Siti Nurhaliza and the home appliance maker, considering it’s coming from someone younger, who has experience in the Chinese market, to one who is a product of Malay-medium schools, but has been in the industry for quite a while now, although she is most comfortable singing in Malay, given her environment and circumstances as a (former) police officer’s daughter. Besides that, the company in question was looking for a face and a theme song that bodes well with the company’s goals on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and youth empowerment.

Launching the CSR campaign, it’s no surprise that this duet has been performed live for the company, days before the music video became available for streaming.

Besides Jay Chou as a major influence in Firdhaus’ music, the Johor-born credits Ed Sheeran as one of his other influences.

While Firdhaus sings primarily for the Chinese market, he has a few songs in Malay and English, notably “Aku Gila Kamu”, a cover of a popular Chinese song, and “Table for Two”. Due to Malaysia’s diversity, it’s not uncommon to have songs which have a few lines in a language other than the song’s primary language. Firdhaus’ popular duet with Jeryl Lee Pei Ling is proof of that. Other than that, “You and Me” is his way of showing that he can weave Malay, English, and Chinese.

Siti Nurhaliza is linked to Khalid Muhammad Jiwa, as each other’s spouse. Khalid Muhammad Jiwa was awarded the title Dato’ Seri for his contributions as an entrepreneur and his work in helping the community. As for Siti Nurhaliza’s title, Dato’ Sri, it was awarded in accordance with her capacity and work as a performer, singer-actress. Long-time fans of Siti Nurhaliza would call her “Tok Ti”.

Notes:

Gen Alpha – those born between 2013-2024, and experienced pandemic-era schooling. The savviest in streaming and voice-activated technologies.

Gen Z – those born between 1997- 2012

Experienced widespread Wi-Fi and the smartphone phenomenon, and app-driven scenarios

Gen Y – those born between 1981-1996

Experienced the advent of boybands, Britney Spears, makes up one part of Michael Jackson’s fans, the dawn of the Internet

Gen X – those born between 1965-1980

The adoption of early technology, the rise of MTV. This generation practiced self-reliance and adaptability, and work-life balance.

Baby Boomers – those born between 1946-1964

Because of the Vietnam War and other wars, as well as economic uncertainties, Baby Boomers had to work hard, had an optimistic outlook of life.

The Silent Generation – those born between 1928-1945

Most of us remember that our grandparents were born during this period, where there was hardly much development in technology. No smartphones, only traditional telephones which had to evolve over time.