By David E.
KOTA KINABALU: The song “Lelah Hati Ini” is not merely a story of a broken romance. It is about a heart that is tired, and about a parting that happens not because love has faded.
The official MV for the song was launched on YouTube tonight at 8pm. Its singer, Hosiani James Jaimis, better known as Hosiani Keewon, wrote the lyrics and music herself.
The song “Lelah Hati Ini” also received cooperation from Sony Music Malaysia for audio distribution to digital platforms.
“This is my first work that has forged a distribution partnership with Sony Music Malaysia. Of course, this is an achievement and a meaningful experience in my music journey,” she said.
“Not all goodbyes happen because love is gone. Sometimes, the heart is simply tired.”
That line was shared by Hosiani in a promotional post for the MV. Brief, yet touching enough to move many viewers.
Hosiani admits she is easily moved by others’ outpourings. However, this song was inspired specifically by the real story of someone close to her. “Only, I did not write the entire story in the lyrics,” she said.
“This song is not just about a breakup or sadness over a parting. It teaches us that love alone is not enough. No matter how many times we start new relationships, if it is not with the right person, we will still feel that love alone is not enough.
“Every parting does not mean we have failed in love. A parting can also be a step for someone to become more mature in their next relationship,” she explained.
The Dusun version of “Lelah Hati Ini,” titled “Orologo Ma Ginawo,” was launched last April.
Asked why the Malay version was released, Hosiani said: “The Malay version will provide a bigger market. Those who do not understand Dusun will easily understand it. Many also requested a karaoke version in Malay.”
She stressed that the choice of language is not a matter of rejecting her mother tongue. She wants to draw closer to listeners.
“Every listener has their own taste. It is up to us how we draw closer to listeners,” she said.
The Dusun version previously, she said, received a good response. She took into account the opinions of the majority of her listeners.
Hosiani once said she learned the Dusun language through songs. Now, she herself sings in Dusun and Malay.
“The more songs I release in Dusun, I believe the deeper our love for our own mother tongue. This can be one of my ways to preserve the mother tongue and cultivate the desire to learn the mother tongue more deeply among young people,” she said.
She also believes that translating from Dusun to Malay helps listeners appreciate the Dusun version of the song.
Hosiani corrected a bit of information about her participation in Unduk Ngadau. Her sister’s insistence happened in 2015. Her participation in 2018 was of her own free will.
“Even though I was pushed into it in 2015, I am very grateful for that opportunity. At that time my thinking was not yet mature. If my sister had not insisted, perhaps I would not be here now,” she said.
Hosiani does not mind if people still recognise her as Unduk Ngadau.
“I always hold high and appreciate the title of Winner of Unduk Ngadau Sabah 2018. If people still recognise me as Unduk Ngadau, I feel there is no problem and I am still comfortable,” she said.
Since 2022, Hosiani has hosted the ERA Sabah morning radio show from 6 to 10am. Radio discipline, she said, changed the way she sings and writes lyrics.
“Yes. I gained a lot of knowledge and sharing from people who work in radio. They have more knowledge about the direction of songs, what can and cannot be done,” she said.
Theatre experience in the musical “Solungkoi” in 2018 also helped, she said. “From that theatre musical, I learned a lot about how to convey emotion appropriately in a song. It also trained my courage on stage,” she added.
Hosiani described audience expectations as the biggest challenge for Sabah artists in 2026.
“Audience expectations somewhat influence our spirit in producing local works. But this is not a complaint from me. This is merely a statement of how aware I am of the impact of audience expectations on the spirit of local creators,” she said.
She views the pressure positively. “Feedback from audience expectations can be beneficial in terms of improving works, depending on the comments and opinions of the audience and how a creator receives them,” she said.
The MV for “Lelah Hati Ini” is directed by Cryrister Moris, who also serves as editor. Filming was done by Elvin Romeo and Cryrister Moris. Hosiani herself is the MV producer.
The cast comprises Gelvia Vanessa (UN Sabah 2026) and Kristern Olwen (Fourth Runner-Up RTK State Level 2026).
Hosiani hopes viewers will understand the content and meaning of the song’s lyrics.
“I hope from the MV of Lelah Hati Ini, people will better understand the content and meaning of the lyrics. For the rest, enjoy and appreciate this song,” she said.
The MV for “Lelah Hati Ini” can be viewed starting November 13, 2026, at 8pm on YouTube. Fans can follow Hosiani through her YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@hosianikeewon), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@hosianikeewon), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hosianikeewon_official), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/share/1G3tQcThnR/) and verified Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/share/1PZGAiUvxY/).
“Friday is usually Global Release Day in music. There may be a chance to get into the New Music Friday release on YouTube. That is why I took the opportunity to release on a Friday,” she said.
Hosiani sees this song as a story of a tired heart — and the courage to admit that tiredness. Tonight, she sings it for all who have ever felt a tired heart.
– TV Sabah
