#SHOWBIZ: Yasin reclaims voice in 'Yang Tinggal'

AFTER more than four years out of the spotlight, singer-songwriter Yasin Sulaiman is easing his way back into music.

Rather than rushing his comeback, the 51-year-old is taking time to reorganise his life, reconnect with his family and plan his next artistic steps.

His latest single, 'Yang Tinggal', a collaboration with rapper Malique and singer Zizi Kirana, marks an important step forward.

Released by Icon Records (M) Sdn Bhd and Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, the track explores loss, sacrifice, hope and the value of human life.

Set against the backdrop of the Palestinian suffering in Gaza, it asks a haunting question: what is left when war takes away homes, families and hope?

For Yasin, the project is more than just a comeback. It is a chance to use music to highlight the human cost of conflict.

The song was composed by Malique and Tripdisz, with the idea taking shape in September last year. Tripdisz recalls that Malique first shared a demo with the chorus before they discussed who could bring its message to life.

"Several names were suggested, and one of them was Yasin. At the time, we were not sure whether we could get him, so we decided to try our luck," Tripdisz says.

DISTINCT IDENTITIES

The track is balanced by three distinct musical voices: Malique provides the creative foundation, Zizi brings emotional intensity and Yasin adds deep reflection. Their voices are enriched by the layered vocals of the Voices of Bilad al-Sham choir.

The song's core message focuses heavily on the children caught in the destruction in Gaza. Tripdisz explains that the team was deeply affected by news reports while working on the track.

"We made this song while watching very sad news. So, what we are trying to convey is that if we cannot help, at least we can raise awareness. The message of this song is peace," he shares.

For Zizi, the project was intensely emotional. She admits that the plight of children in Gaza made recording certain sections very difficult.

While singing about the grief of facing a lost loved one, she kept picturing the real-world destruction.

"I imagined what is happening in Gaza now, so the meaning of 'Yang Tinggal' is very deep for me," she says

Yasin views the song's title as a direct question to humanity after a tragic loss.

"The song 'Yang Tinggal' is actually a question. After all the destruction, the loss of lives and the loss of everything, 'what remains?' is the question.

"After everyone is gone, after losing parents, children, lives and homes, everything is lost. In reality, nothing remains," he says.

TIME TO REBUILD

This stark theme carries extra weight given Yasin's recent personal struggles.

After four years away, which included time in prison and medical treatment at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak, he was allowed to return home in early September following the end of his treatment.

Yasin has spoken openly about his struggles with bipolar disorder and his ongoing recovery. He emphasises that his freedom comes with real responsibilities, such as staying on lifelong medication and steering clear of cannabis.

Instead of chasing an instant career reboot, Yasin is focusing on his family, setting up his recording studio and planning future projects. During his time away, he wrote new songs and completed a 400-page autobiography to raise awareness about mental health.

"I want to share this story because many people living with mental health disorders feel hopeless when they are first diagnosed," he says.

"I want to convey the message that there is still hope for recovery and rebuilding one's life if the right treatment is received."

That message of personal recovery mirrors the themes of 'Yang Tinggal'. While the song faces the reality of war, Yasin's journey shows the importance of finding a way forward after dark times.

Kenny Ong, managing director of Sony Music Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Southeast Asia Special Projects, welcomed the opportunity to bring the three Malaysian artistes together, noting how relevant the lyrics are to current global events.

As Yasin finds his footing once again, the track proves that music can offer far more than a path back to the stage —it can speak up for loss, build empathy, and remind us to protect our shared humanity.