US Navy musician wins Sabah hearts with 'Original Sabahan' rendition

 By Olivia Miwil

September 6, 2026 @ 8:56am

US Navy Musician 3rd Class Jasmine Rodriguez, 29, said her colleagues had described 'Original Sabahan' as Malaysia's version of 'Country Roads' because it was familiar to every generation and easy to sing along to. - NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KOTA KINABALU: A US Navy musician has captured Sabahans' hearts after her rendition of the popular local song 'Original Sabahan' at the launch of Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) here two days ago went viral.

US Navy Musician 3rd Class Jasmine Rodriguez, 29, said her colleagues had described 'Original Sabahan' as Malaysia's version of 'Country Roads' because it was familiar to every generation and easy to sing along to.

"It's one of those songs that everyone knows and everyone can sing along to," she told the New Straits Times during the Pacific Partnership Band performance at a shopping mall here last night.

Netizens praised the 29-year-old from California for accurately singing the song by Atmosfera featuring Floor 88, which is in Bahasa Malaysia and Dusun.

Rodriguez was intrigued to learn during the interview that she had actually sung in two languages, rather than just Bahasa Malaysia, which she described as phonetic and easier to learn than Vietnamese.

During a previous mission, the vocalist also sang in different languages, including Tagalog and Indonesian, in other regions.

Prior to last night's performance, Rodriguez was surprised that some members of the public recognised her and took pictures with her.

"I am surprised that they could recognise me, probably because I am in the same uniform."

During the one-hour joint performance, the Pacific Partnership Band and Malaysian military band performed nine songs: 'Valerie', 'SESI Potret', 'Crazy In Love', 'Golden', 'Don't Stop Believing', 'Aku Penghibur', 'Budak Flat', 'Original Sabahan' and 'Unstoppable.'

The Pacific Partnership Band will also perform at various local schools, the Gaya Street Market concert on Sept 11, and the Pacific Partnership Fair on Sept 12.

Earlier in the day, some 460 members of the public benefited from free health education and basic healthcare information during a Community Health Engagement (CHE) organised by PP26 at the same venue.

The CHE gave the community an opportunity to meet military and civilian healthcare practitioners for free education on public health topics, including optometry, audiology, nutrition, dental care, physical therapy, rabies prevention, diabetes prevention, blood pressure, food safety, preventive medicine and more.