KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Two years ago, popular Indonesian singer Bunga Citra Lestari (BCL) mesmerised her audience with a two-hour showcase at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
This year, she recreated the magic at her BCL: Eternal Love Timeless Romance concert at the same venue, which about 2,000 people attended. This time, however, the concert carried a deeper meaning — it was not only soulful but a celebration of hope and renewal for the 42-year-old singer.
Among the songs she sang was Wanita Terbahagia, which she dedicated to her late husband Ashraf Sinclair, who passed away in February 2020.
“Ashraf was not only my husband but also my friend and partner in crime. We fought for each other, and sometimes we fought with each other. For 12 years, we stayed with each other. Losing him was really tough,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. The hall fell into silence.
Yet in that poignant moment, BCL reminded her fans that loss does not mark the end, but instead it illuminates the path to carry on.
BCL’s setlist included Pernah Muda, Menghapus Jejakmu, Memilih Dia and Kecewa, interwoven with reflections on her life’s journey and a new chapter with her husband, Tiko Aryawardhana.
The song Memulai Kembali, the lyrics of which were about opening her heart again, created a romantic mood in the hall.
Describing herself as fortunate, BCL said her marriage to Tiko in December 2023 did not distance her from Ashraf’s family. On the contrary, they remained a source of strength and support throughout her life’s transitions.
“My husband also embraces Ashraf’s family. I am now like a daughter to Ummi (Ashraf’s mother), and Tiko is her son-in-law,” she said with a radiant smile that melted the hearts of her fans.
BCL later surprised the audience with a special guest appearance by Malaysian star Yuna. Together, they performed their hit collaboration Watak Utama, released last year.
True to her promise of delivering a truly special evening, BCL even invited two fans on stage to share their own love stories.
She then joined forces with guest artiste Jaclyn Victor for a powerful rendition of Cinta, their vocals blending seamlessly to electrify the hall. The night continued with a duet alongside Indonesian singer Fajar Noor for Aku dan Dirimu.
The show drew to a close at exactly 11.43pm with Badai Telah Berlalu, as her fans rose to their feet in thunderous applause, reluctant to let go of the magical night.
The concert will be remembered not only for its music but also for the singer’s soulful voice, as well as her emotional life journey and strong belief that the hope to keep moving forward has no end. — Bernama
