Ithnaini binti Mohamed Taib (born 23 March 1952), better known by her stage name Anita Sarawak, is a Singaporean singer.
Early years Anita is the only child of actor and director S. Roomai Noor and actress Siput Sarawak. Her parents separated when she was 9 months old and Anita lived with her father. When Anita was around 12 years old, she went to live with her mother Siput and started preparation for her acting career.
Career At 14, Anita acted in her first film, Dua Kali Lima.
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.
In 1979, she launched a three-month performing tour of the United States, including shows in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
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 telemovie Topeng (Mask). She also released a cookbook, Cooking with Love, in 2004.
In 2011, Anita retreated from public life, according to entertainment journalist Roslen Fadzil, to whom the singer reached out in 2022 to dispel rumors of her death, illness, and divorce.
In 2017, Sarawak was inducted into Singapore's Women Hall of Fame.
Personal life Anita has been married four times.
In December 1972, Anita married Mohamed Abdul Samad. The couple divorced in August 1979.
In October 1981, Anita married the Indonesian singer Broery Pesulima. Anita's father objected to the marriage as Broery is Christian while Anita is a Muslim. Broery converted to Islam during their marriage but the couple later separated. Broery later renounced Islam and converted back to Christianity.
In 1995, Anita was caught for close proximity (khalwat) with her third husband J.D. Nicholas of the musical group The Commodores, to whom she was engaged at the time. Anita attended a hearing in court and paid a fine.
She is currently married to her British manager, Mohamad Mahathir Abdullah (formerly Martin Cox). The couple first met in Las Vegas, and wed in 2001.
In September 2009, Anita's husband was attacked outside her stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum's home in Taman Melawati, Malaysia. Anita subsequently forgave the robbers.
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."
Anita retired from public life in 2011 and has been living a private life in Las Vegas, United States.
Her stepmother Datin Umi Kalthum, a veteran Malaysian actress, passed away in July 2013. Anita could not return for the funeral.
In 2022, Anita contacted entertainment journalist Roslen Fadzil to dispel rumours about her health and personal status.
Discography EP YearTitleRelease infoNotesRef.1969With A Lot O’ Soul Columbia ECHK-621 Backed by The MandarinsDiscogs – Anita Sarawak – With A Lot O' Soul
Album YearTitleNotesRef.1969With A Lot O’ Soul1971Papa Ku Pulang1972La La La Lu1973Beautiful Saturday/Sunday1974Between Me and HeAntara Aku dan DiaPesan Ayah1975Environmental TerpujaLive at the Mandarin Singapore1976Joint hummed AnitaSophisticated LadyGembira Bersama1977Love Me1978Dancing in the City1979Gayamu Biar SederhanaAnita Sarawak1981For the Love1982Peace (Damai)1984Kenangan ManisBawalah Daku Pergi1985Dunia Oh Dunia / Aku Menyayangimu1989Asmara1990Cinta Nan Satu1992Antara Yang Manis1993Bisikan Cinta2004Seksis2005Another Dimension2008Anita Sarawak: Her Complete Evergreen Collection2009Era Music Hits2010Cinta Anita (Love Anita)
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes1956Penchuri1966Dua Kali Lima1974Semambu Kuning2003Mr. Cinderella 22006Diva Popular
Host TV YearTitleRoleTV channel2003AnitaHerself/hostAstro Ria2007–2010Kwek Mambo AnitaHerself/hostAstro Prima2009–2010AstanaHerself/hostAstro Ria
Television series YearTitleRoleTV channel2003Selagi ada Kasih Mediacorp Suria2005Agensi MelorAstro Ria2008Papaku RockAstro Ria
Television movie YearTitleRoleTV channel2004TopengAstro Ria
In popular culture Anita Sarawak was featured in cartoonist, Lat's 1980 compilation of New Straits Times cartoons, With a Little Bit of Lat, published in 1980 by Berita Publishing.
References