Guan Chee How, 53, also known as Haw is admired by many karaoke fans around the state because of his determination in learning Malay songs.

According to a report in Sinar Harian, Haw learned and listened to Malay songs when he was 15 and the first song he heard was a song by Sudirman while he was in Singapore.

“That time, I didn’t have many Malay friends because I wasn’t so fluent in the language. But bit by bit, I listened and loved to follow Malay songs.”

The father of four said after he met with his friend, Lee Yang, a vocal teacher, his interest in singing Malay songs grew.

“He was the one who taught me.”

Haw said he loved going to karaoke centres around Malacca with his Malay friends every night.

“It’s truly fun and I myself no longer know if I’m Chinese or Malay,” he joked.

He said he loved songs from the 1980s and 1990s and songs that were sung in a high key.

Among the songs that he always sings at karaoke centres are “Cinta Kain Putih” from Putra and “Kembali Terjali from Slam.

“Now I am trying to compete with Siti Nordiana in the Smule application (on karaoke).”