SHAH ALAM, Nov 16 — From the outside, the modest building housing Warisan Hall Studio may appear unremarkable. Anyone passing by might not realise that behind those walls lies a world of music, complete with advanced audio systems.
Located in Sijangkang, Telok Panglima Garang, Kuala Langat, it is surprising that this rural area is home to a music studio, a recording studio, and even a fully equipped event hall. Within it lies the story of Mohd Khair Ghazali, 59, affectionately known as Wak Khair.
Formerly a factory courier, he now owns a full-fledged studio, an event hall, and his own homestay. Khair's passion for music began during his school days, when he formed his own band and frequently performed at weddings.
“I used to bring musical equipment to weddings or religious talks. We would set up the equipment or professional audio systems (PA systems).
"That is how we learnt a bit about music,” he told Media Selangor.
Inspired by neighbouring countries
Khair added that 2000 marked the beginning of his venture, when he started a small business providing PA system services. He continued working as a courier while a few workers helped manage the business, with his strong interest and family support encouraging him to take bigger steps.
Gradually, Khair's services expanded from PA systems to recording songs and karaoke. His first recording project was for an Orang Asli band named Variasi.
“Alhamdulillah (God be praised), it was a success, and after that, around 20 other Orang Asli bands came requesting music recordings,” he said.
A few years later, through savings, Employees' Provident Fund withdrawals, and a piece of inherited land, Khair found the inspiration to build his own studio. In 2017, a visit to Indonesia opened his eyes: studios were not just recording spaces, but community hubs.
From there, the idea for Warisan Hall Studio, complete with an event hall, recording studio, and homestay, was born.
“Over there, I saw how much they appreciate music. I thought, why not build a complete place here where people can relax while enjoying a village atmosphere,” Khair said.
Warisan Hall Studio gains recognition
Many initially questioned the idea of building a studio in a village, which he paid no mind. For Khair, even if no customers came, it would still be a place for his family and friends.
With the rise of YouTube, he began recording studio videos and uploading them to the Wak TV Warisan and Warisan Records channels. From there, Warisan Hall Studio began to gain recognition, attracting well-known singers and bands like Ramli Sarip, Wings, Search, and Siti Nordiana, as well as international students.
It even caught the attention of the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, who visited and praised Khair’s efforts. Many agencies and major programmes, including Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL), have also used his equipment and studio due to competitive pricing and excellent customer service.
“My strategy is always to buy new equipment. Quality and customer satisfaction are what matter. Every week, there are always people coming in for song recordings or concerts,” Khair said.
Tested but never defeated
Despite setbacks, including clients failing to pay him over RM80,000, he remains patient. Khair believes that sincere effort will eventually bear fruit.
He draws inspiration from figures like Datuk Yusof Haslam, who built an empire from the ground up.
A father of three, Khair hopes Warisan Hall Studio will become a family legacy. Though he has only an SPM education, he dreams that one day his own compositions will be featured at Anugerah Juara Lagu.
Selangor Arts Laureate
After more than 25 years in the music industry, he was finally honoured as an Arts Laureate through the Selangor Arts Awards (ASN) 2025. Khair's name is now recognised as a testament to sincere work and passion for music — something he himself never expected.
