Sharifah Aini treated reporters like family - entertainment journos

It goes without saying that the late songtress Datuk Sharifah Aini was synonymous for her loving and kindhearted nature.

Sharifah was friendly and would often celebrate journalists to her residence in Petaling Jaya, said veteran veteran journalists to Astro AWANI.

Huzz, a celebrated entertainment reporter of Utusan Karya entertainment magazine URTV, was overwhelmed with emotions when asked to share some fond memories with Sharifah.

Sharifah Aini was like a sister, said Huzz.

“Sharifah treated reporters like her own family, as we would often get invitation to her house. It is not often would an artist open their house to reporters.

“The last time I saw her was on Wednesday. At that time she was resting, I could not speak to her,” said Huzz who is one of the earliest reporters to write about Sharifah Aini from the start of her career.

The bond that was forged between Huzz and Sharifah was priceless. Huzz was also a confidante, and some of her secrets were often told to Huzz.

Veteran journalist Saodah Ismail was also a close acquaintance of Sharifah.

Understandably, Saodah who was fondly known as Kak Odah among her peers, was shell-shocked to hear the news about the singer’s death.

“The last time I saw Kak Ani was three weeks ago -- and when Sharifah informed me that visitors were allowed, I immediately came.

“The most unforgettable moment was when there was a misunderstanding between the two of us because she was upset with one of my jottings. But I felt relief after we finally managed to patch things up and we became close since then,” said Saodah when met after the funeral.

For the uninitiated, Saodah was the first Bahasa Malaysia reporter to have the privilege to have an exclusive interview Sharifah some thirty years ago.