This is a tale of a chance encounter nearly one year in the making.

26 May 2024, 1-3pm. Venue: a famous nasi padang restaurant, Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta

Just completed two exhaustive nights attending the Java Jazz Festival with my brother and sister-in-law. We were tired and hungry, just loitering around Plaza Indonesia before I proceed to Soekarno Hatta airport (CGK) for my trip back to Kuala Lumpur. We walked past a famous nasi padang restaurant and could not resist the sight and smell of food wafting through the corridor. Chomped down a satisfying feast, then walked back to a hotel nearby to check out. My brother and his half Indonesian wife will remain in Jakarta for a couple of days to visit her relatives.

PSM members had alerted me that Sheila Majid was also in Jakarta that weekend and if I tried hard enough, I might ‘accidentally’ bump into her. My stalking guru from PSM had tipped me off for the locations to stalk her, but I could not muster enough courage to do so. Exasperatingly, in the taxi trip to CGK, I saw from Sheila’s IG story that she also had or was having lunch in the same restaurant.  We were probably sipping our favourite ‘jus alpukat’ (avocado juice) at the same time, in the same space but separated by a wall!  I only found out later that this place is one of her favourite restaurants in Jakarta. Failed stalking mission no.1.

Feeling hyped, I had a glimmer of hope of meeting her in the airline lounge in CGK, if she was going back to KL on the same day. Made sure I was ‘rapih-rapih’ (tidy and presentable). Kept my eyes wide open in the busy lounge, but did not sight her at all. Failed stalking mission no.2 and felt Getaran Jiwa’s ‘hampaaaaa….’ Could this be an exclusive function of Planet Sheila Majid inhabitants, that the neuronal circuit our brain connects moment of our lives with her songs? Our own ‘Sinaran’ moment when we are joyous and ‘Gerimis Semalam’ moment when we are grieving? 

11^th November 2024, Kuala Lumpur

Received news that the highly anticipated inaugural Golo Mori Jazz Festival on the 16^th Nov in Labuan Bajo will be postponed to another date due to volcanic eruption of Gunung Lewotobi Laki-laki. I had met Sheila in Janda Baik Festival in July but was yearning for more. Had already picked out CD album covers of Sheila, Tohpati and Andien for them to autograph there and had to put all back to the shelf. Failed mission no 3. This time it was extra ‘lemah tiada berjiwa, hampa’ because I had also made plan to meet up with the Jazz Gunung Series organizers whom I got to know during Jazz Gunung Bromo 2024. They were devastated by the eruption, most of their staff from Jakarta were already in Labuan Bajo, the erected open-air stage had to be dismantled and the staff evacuated to Surabaya by ferries.

13^th April 2025 1am. Venue: a hotel in south Jakarta

In a euphoric state after watching the Ruth Sahanaya, Sammy Simorangkir and Dewa 19 triple bill in south Jakarta the night before. Sheila had performed in Golo Mori simultaneously when Ruth was performing in Jakarta. Spent the night scrolling through IG stories posted by Fendi, our dear PSM member and other Golo Mori festival attendees. I saw a photo of Fendi taken with Sheila after her performance and felt regretful for missing out the Golo Mori event. The stunning natural backdrop with the stage nestled between a cliff overlooking the sea and hill, in clear moonlight was a sight to behold. Not the mention her beautiful gown that flowed gracefully with the wind.

Finally felt asleep at 2am, had a fitful night and woke up three hours later. Something was troubling my sleep despite my tiredness – perhaps after effect of the show last night and the Golo Mori videos? 

13^th April 2025 9.30am. Venue: an airline lounge in CGK

Decided to go to CGK one hour earlier than originally scheduled for the trip back to KL. In CGK, I was allowed to change to an earlier 11.10am flight instead of boarding for the 12.15pm flight to KL. 

Spent more time scrolling through IG stories of the Golo Mori show while snacking and drinking in the surprisingly empty lounge. The early morning crowd had probably departed and there was a lull in activity before the next wave of departures. Had faint memory of looking out for Sheila in the same lounge previously and the pang of ‘hampa’ recurred. Even if she was going back to KL today, she could not have flown in from Labuan Bajo to CGK so early in the morning. Will she be transiting in CGK or Denpasar airport in Bali to go back to KL? She might have to stay back in Jakarta for work-related matters, perhaps planning for the anniversary concert. Knowing of her fondness for diving, she could have remained in Labuan Bajo to dive in the nearby islands. Would she be taking the later 12.15pm flight back to KL? Should I have not changed to an earlier flight? Too many questions and ifs for an ‘accidental’ encounter with her to happen, thus I brushed aside the thought.

By now, even the effect of caffeine consumed earlier could not mask my mental and physical fatigue. Afterall, I was in Jakarta for less than 24 hours and had slept very little for two consecutive nights. Better to get out of lounge and browse in the nearby bookshop. I wanted to look for the newly reissued ‘Jakarta’ written by Herald van der Linde. His ‘Majapahit’ last year was a gripping tale of murders and palace intrigues. I need to know more about Jakarta, this fascinating metropolitan that I return to again and again. Moreover, a bit of retail therapy would lift my spirits up.

Thus, I went to the washroom to freshen up before leaving.  Upon exiting the washroom, I bumped into Derrick Cheong, the make-up and hair artist for Sheila. My heart skipped a beat. Scrutinized him again to confirm that he was indeed Derrick. I knew that he had accompanied Sheila to Golo Mori. Did he leave the place alone earlier than the rest because of work? Could it be really possible that Sheila’s entourage had also left Labuan Bajo early in the morning to transit in CGK? I was getting excited yet confused but did not dare to approach him. Let me find the answer on my own. 

I quickly exited the washroom with my carry-on luggage in tow. The washroom was located near the lounge entrance – I scanned the rest of the dimly lit, 50 metres long lounge. At one glance, only two men were seen standing near the food counter in an otherwise empty lounge. The numerous dining tables were completely unoccupied. With a sinking yet furiously beating heart, I walked gingerly through the rest of the lounge. A single traveller was nested in the coccoon-like sofa facing a parking lot and a barrista was manning the coffee bar. I was now near the end of the lounge and there was still no sight of Sheila nor Siti, her manager. ‘Hampa’ again, but wait, beyond the coffee bar there was a shoulder height wall partition that blocked my view. Could this be my last hope? The wall, the wall… as I approached it.

I walked across the partition, and lo and behold, they were seated there – Sheila, Siti and Fadhli, her assistant – eating breakfast! I stood there, stunned, staring in my jaw drop moment, trying to decide whether to be rude and say hi or to quickly leave unnoticed. In my dizzy state, I was not sure if I did utter hi but that couple of seconds felt like an eternity. Then Siti saw me and exclaimed ‘Victor!’ enthusiastically. Sheila gave me a confused look while Siti stood up to greet me. I mumbled awkwardly, Mr Bean-like to explain to Sheila that I was in Jakarta to attend Ruth Sahanaya’s show. Yes, yes, I hear you PSM members – I felt guilty as accused, for being a ‘traitor’. By now all I wanted to do was to say ‘nice to meet you’ and leave quickly. However, Sheila immediately invited me to be seated and insisted that I join them for breakfast when I declined. 

Feeling dazed and shy, I took my seat. I told Sheila that I was shocked to meet her so serendipitously – I did not expect her to be transiting in CGK so early. It appeared that they had flown in from Labuan Bajo on a 7am flight. And to my utter surprise, they were also booked for the 12.15pm flight back to KL but were offered to change to the earlier 11.10am flight at the check in counter in CGK. Do you believe in fate (takdir) and chance encounter? When I tried hard to look for her last year in the same lounge, nothing happened. But when I least expected it, this miracle happened in the most mysterious way. 

Within seconds Sheila was chatting effusively as if we were old friends. Inwardly, I was kicking myself for invading her privacy, yet she was able to put me at ease as we chatted on various topics including her travel peeves, the music scene in Malaysia and Indonesia etc. My first experience talking to her away from show venues, which were usually brief. She was friendly, without airs and her genuine and warm personality shone through. Where was this supposedly untouchable, cool and aloof, elusive image I had of her when I listened to her music in the 80s and 90s? Spooffff …it all vanished into thin air. 

Later we made our way to the waiting lounge of the departure gate. Our flight was delay for about 40 minutes and I had never felt so glad of a delayed flight. During the flight, I listened to my Sheila Majid playlist and dozed off while listening to ‘Aku Cinta Padamu’.  A few songs later, I woke up to the pulsating gendang of ‘Entah Jadi Entahkan Tidak’ – a duet sung by Sheila and Tan Sri SM Salim, the late father of Siti. And the two ladies were seated just three rows in front of me. I can now boast to have this exclusive and surreal experience and could not thank my lucky stars enough for it. We duly arrived at KLIA after 2 hours. While waiting for our luggage, I found out from Derrick that he has worked with Sheila for more than 20 years and Fadhli has also worked with Acis and Sheila for 18 years, a telling sign of their professional and personal relationship with Sheila.

Prior to our goodbyes, Sheila chirped ‘Please send my regards to the rest (of PSM members)!’

Reflecting back on this encounter, I have further insight into her longevity in the music industry. You would agree with me that apart from her timeless tunes, unique voice and singing style, her genuine appreciation of fans stands out as her most endearing quality. We cannot wait to celebrate her achievements during her upcoming milestone 40^th anniversary concert.  Do get in touch with us if you are interested to join our very own 3-day Planet Sheila Majid Festival in conjunction with this concert, occurring in a hotel near the concert venue!  

Victor 

P.S. To my stalking guru (you know who you are) – can I graduate now? I had successfully stalked Vina last year and Sheila this time.