KUALA LUMPUR – For Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan, the decision to join PKR is not aimed at fishing for a seat to contest in the next general election but to have a platform to raise the people’s voice.
Speaking to The Vibes, the award-winning actor-director and comedian said any chance of him contesting would only happen if the party’s leadership indicates it is their wish for him to do so.
“I am not lobbying for any seats. I am more open to canvassing support for a candidate during the election campaigning period.
“As such, I will let the party decide what to do on that matter,” said Afdlin, who is also chief executive of Petra Media, one of the region’s fastest-growing media entertainment groups.
On the party branch he plans to join, Afdlin said he is leaving that to the party leadership to decide on as well.
“I have people who want me to join a certain branch in the party. However, I feel that it is not up to me.
“My intention is to help the reformist agenda. We need more reformists,” he said.
“We need to close ranks within PKR,” he added, stressing that there is no reason to create friction and unrest by picking which branch he should join by himself.
Such a rash move, he said, could lead to unnecessary speculation about him wanting to land a seat to contest.
Principled leadership
Afdlin said his decision to join PKR was based on his observation of the principled leadership and political struggle of party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Anwar’s struggle, from my point of view, is similar to what Nelson Mandela went through. From the time he was in prison until the time he forgave those who had put him behind bars, I admire his resolve and patience,” he said.
Nobel Prize-winner Mandela was the first president of post-apartheid South Africa following 27 years of incarceration.
The latest political foray by Afdlin, 50, is to help Anwar make changes in the present political arena towards building a better future for the country.
“Based on his struggles, Anwar has the capabilities and leadership qualities needed for the country. I have no doubts about being with PKR at this moment.”
Afdlin is expected to be announced as PKR’s latest recruits, alongside local artiste Altimet, by Anwar at an event in the Flamingo Hotel here tomorrow.
The father of three had said in January that he wanted to make politics a space for him to serve the community.
“Politics is not a field in which to seek influence in the eyes of the public, but a test to carry out the trust given by the people,” he said.
For the people
Having organised aid missions to Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, India and Myanmar’s Rakhine state, Afdlin said he feels humanitarian work is more fulfilling.
He said his life is no longer based so much on popularity as it used to be, and that he is now driven by a desire to improve the local community’s living standards.
“I learnt many things from all the humanitarian missions I participated in.
“Not only did they open my eyes, but they also educated me on being grateful for all the comforts of life that I have enjoyed all this while, thus instilling in me the awareness of all the blessings bestowed by Allah.”
Politics is not a field in which to seek influence in the eyes of the public, but a test to carry out the trust given by the people.
Intending to go against the norm, Afdlin said he is keen to remain the personality he is now, even while becoming absorbed in political turmoil. He also assured that he is not the sort of person to demean, insult or humiliate others.
“That’s not me and, if due to this principle, I no longer remain a choice (of the people) someday, I would agree and accept it with an open heart.”
Politicians should be the people’s voice, fight for their rights and improve their economic standing, he said.
“For me, politics is not to fill one’s own pockets, but a space and opportunity to dedicate one’s life for as long as they live.” – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
