KUALA LUMPUR – PKR’s celebrity politicians have hit back at observers’ assessments of their defeat in the party’s recent election.
Film stars Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan and Datuk Hans Isaac, and musician Altimet refuted analysts’ suggestions that PKR members prefer party leaders with a proven track record, instead of individuals with celebrity status.
Responding to the criticisms, Afdlin signalled that celebrity politicians in the polls have been underestimated and stigmatised to a certain degree.
The actor and director also took a shot at the credibility of the seasoned political observers, as well as journalists.
“If we had better political analysts, maybe our country would have better politicians!” he told The Vibes.
Can I say that? Or is that generalising all political analysts as ‘bad’? Or is it that because I am an artiste, it means I don’t have the capacity to fathom the ‘brilliance’ that is (in) the words spewing out of these political analysts?”
The actor also said people who report the views of the political analysts further amplified the perception that famous people are only useful for their popularity, and not for their ability to think or voice opinions on injustice.
Afdlin faced defeat in the race for the Setiawangsa division chief’s post at the hands of incumbent and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
He managed to garner 372 votes compared to rival Nik Nazmi, who obtained 482 votes.
Celebrity with power ‘a dangerous thing’
Similarly, Altimet – whose real name is Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman – and Hans lost their bids for the Ampang division chief’s post, conceding the seat to controversial figure Daing Muhammad Reduan Bachok.
Afdlin lamented that people tend to belittle those in the arts sector whose rights have not been protected since the days of luminaire Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
A popular artiste with power is a dangerous thing,” he said, suggesting the perception people may have of artistes.
He also stressed that the results of the polls have yet to be made official.
“(The) Analysts also made assumptions that there was no support from the grassroots for famous people, but if you look at the numbers of the recent party polls, we did not lose by much,” he added.
Afdlin also pointed to other famous people who have succeeded in politics, such as former United States presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, as well as cricketer and former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, and besieged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was a comedian.
Right of creative figures to be politically active
Altimet, on the other hand, was less combative and pointed to previous notions of the creative class being chastised by Malaysians for being apolitical, or unaware of national issues.
“To put it bluntly, they said, ‘All these people cared about was singing and dancing’,” Altimet said.
“Coming into the creative industry, there was always an implicit threat to not go against the government of the day, for fear of losing work and livelihoods.”
However, Altimet noted that those in the creative industries want to actively participate in the Malaysian democratic process, and it is their right to do so as they pay their taxes and earn a living in the country.
“This is a new and welcome development. It’s part of our nation maturing,” Altimet said.
This current batch of politically active people from the creative class are pioneers. Naturally, they will face the challenges normal for trailblazers. Ridicule. Mistrust. But forge ahead, they must.
“So although it’s not fair to reduce these individuals to just how famous they are, their star power, it’s understandable. This is a new paradigm shift for Malaysians.”
Meanwhile, in a brief response, Hans, a former chairman of the National Film Development Corporation, also appeared magnanimous, saying that star politicians will continue to serve the community with integrity, despite the defeat.
He also noted that politicians came from a variety of industries and took time to be impactful.
“We are equally well-versed in what Malaysia goes through, and understand the needs of the rakyat. We also feel the pinch when others struggle,” Hans said.
“It’s easy to comment on a situation, but the three of us and many others are putting in the effort to make a difference. Having said this, we welcome all feedback,” he stressed. – The Vibes, June 2, 2022
