Anita Sarawak

Ithnaini binti Mohamed Taib (born 23 March 1952), better known by her stage name Anita Sarawak, is a Singaporean singer, actress and talk show host.

For the state in Malaysia, see Sarawak.
Anita Sarawak
Born
Ithnaini binte Mohd Taib

(1952-03-23) 23 March 1952
Singapore
NationalitySingaporean
Other namesAnita Sarawak
Spouse(s)Mohamed Abdul Samad (1972 - 1979 divorced)
Broery Marantika (1981 - ? divorced)
Briton Mohammad Mahathir Abdullah (married 2001)
Parent(s)Dato' S Roomai Noor (father)
Siput Sarawak (mother)
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • talk show host
  • actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1966–2010

Early years

Anita is the only child of actor and director S. Roomai Noor and actress Siput Sarawak. Her parents separated when she was very young, and she was allowed to meet her biological father only when she was 7 years old.

Career

At 15, Anita started performing at weddings and other functions. Anita first came to prominence at the age of 17, when she released her debut album With A Lot O’ Soul. In 1974, she released her first Malay album.

Throughout the 1970s, Anita actively promoted Singapore as a tourist destination through her performances. In 1974, she performed for a week in Hawaii; in 1975, she performed for nine days in West Germany; in 1976 in Monte Carlo for two weeks.[1]

In 1979, she launched a three-month performing tour of the United States, including shows in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.[2]

In 1985, she took off for Las Vegas and spent 18 years there performing at Caesars Palace.

Anita has also hosted The Anita Talkshow and Astana and acted in the telecomedy Agensi Melor and the telemove Topeng (Mask). She also released a cookbook, Cooking with Love, in 2004.

Personal life

Anita has been married four times. She is currently married to Briton Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah (formerly Martin Cox), who is her manager. The couple first met in Las Vegas, and wed in 2001.[3]

In December 1972, Anita married Mohamed Abdul Samad. The couple divorced in August 1979.[4]

In October 1981, Anita married the Indonesian singer Broery Pesulima despite her father's objections. Broery is Christian while Anita was born to Islam. The couple later separated.[5]

In 1995, Anita was caught for close proximity (khalwat) with her third husband J.D.Nicholson, who she was engaged to at the time. Anita attended a hearing in court and paid a fine.[6]

In September 2009, Anita's husband Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah was attacked outside her stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum's home in Taman Melawati, Malaysia. Anita subsequently forgave the robbers.[7]

In February 2011, Anita collected the Legend Award for her mother, Siput Sarawak, at the Seri Temasek Awards. Anita said, "It was the proudest day of my life, an exceptional and emotional moment."[8]

In July 2013, Anita's stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum, a veteran Malaysian actress, died. Anita, who lives in the United States, could not return for the funeral.[9]

Discography

EP
Year Title Release info Notes Ref.
1969 With A Lot O’ Soul Columbia ECHK-621 Backed by The Mandarins [10]

Album
Year Title Notes Ref.
1969 With A Lot O’ Soul
1971 Papa Ku Pulang
1972 La La La Lu
1973 Beautiful Saturday/Sunday
1974 Between Me and He
Antara Aku dan Dia
Pesan Ayah
1975 Environmental Terpuja
Live at the Mandarin Singapore
1976 Joint hummed Anita
Sophisticated Lady
Gembira Bersama
1977 Love Me
1978 Dancing in the City
1979 Gayamu Biar Sederhana
Anita Sarawak
1981 For the Love
1982 Peace
1984 Kenangan Manis
1985 I Love You
1989 Asmara
1990 Cinta Nan Satu
1992 Antara Yang Manis
1993 Bisikan Cinta
2004 Seksis
2005 Another Dimension
2008 Anita Sarawak: Her Complete Evergreen Collection
2009 Era Music Hits
2010 Cinta Anita (Love Anita)

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Dua Kali Lima —

Host TV
Year Title Role TV channel
2003 Anita Herself/host Astro Ria
2008 Kwek Mambo Anita Herself/host Astro Prima
2009 Astana Herself/host Astro Ria

Television series
Year Title Role TV channel
2005 Agensi Melor — Astro Ria

Television movie
Year Title Role TV channel
2004 Topeng — Astro Ria

References
  1. "Anita flies off today to woo Monte Carlo jet-setters". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 21 November 1976. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  2. Tang, Geraldine (25 June 1979). "Anita is happy to be back from US". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  3. "Anita Sarawak: From stepdaughter to stepmother". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  4. "Singer Anita Sarawak gets a divorce". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 29 August 1979. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  5. "Anita to wed despite father's objection". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 3 October 1981. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. Shuib, Taib (13 November 2011). "Where is Anita Sarawak?". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. Alang, Bendahara (14 September 2009). "Anita Sarawak forgives robbers for attack". The New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  8. Low, Minmin (21 July 2011). "S'pore icons star in free concert". Singapore Press Holdings. my Paper. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  9. "Actress Umi Kalthum, 81, dies". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  10. Discogs - Anita Sarawak – With A Lot O' Soul


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