Inside Benjy Ibrahim’s life – a burning memory

IT has been a week since the passing of actor Khaeryll Benjamin Ibrahim, better known by his stage name ‘Benjy’, after reportedly suffering from an asthma attack.

Local entertainment was flooded with the details of his unfortunate death whilst undergoing an 11-year jail sentence after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine (syabu) into Indonesia back in 2017.

We can go on and on about his lows, but what good would it bring to those who knew him most and have seen him at his best.

Anyone who has worked closely with Benjy vouched for his talent. From directors to co-stars, the commitment that he put into his craft during his heyday was said to be exemplary.

Ground-breaking roles, such as ‘Jibek’ in the drama-series ‘Kerana Cintaku Saerah’ (2007) directed by Shahrulezad Mohameddin, was where his acting truly shined. Benjy’s character portrayal of an intellectually disabled young man continues to be remembered as one of his best works.

Five years prior (in 2002), the fruits of his craft were immortalised when he won the Best Actor (Drama) Award for the annual Anugerah Skrin (ASK) TV3.

“But that was not the only award that he had won,” shared sister Inessa Irdayanty, who spoke with The Vibes via a Zoom call, earlier this week.

“Most may have forgotten, or don’t even know this, but he and my mom won similar awards for a show they did together called ‘Kembali’ (1995).

“The following year, in ’96, my mom won the ‘Best Actress (Drama)’ category and likewise, Ben bagged the award for the ‘Best Actor (Drama)’ category. 

“I don’t think wins such as that has ever happened both prior and since then, where a mother and son duo were praised for the same production,” she said, expressing that it was a true testament to the dedication they both shared for acting.

Ines, as friends and family fondly call her, stressed how the two were inseparable.

“My mom always says that she doesn’t have a favourite, but we all know that Ben was the ‘golden child’, and we were always okay with that.”

Despite whatever events that have unfolded because of Ben’s ill choices, “… he was a loving brother and son”.

We all know that the shelf-life of an artist in Malaysia is unforgivingly short if the cards do not go the right way.

Growing up as a child-actor – and a child to a famous actress – certainly has its pressures, but that did not stop the passion Benjy had put forth.

One wonders if he got his break a little ahead of his time – where today, opportunities are plenty for stars to creatively pivot into different branding directions.

If there was a time machine, maybe things could have been different?

This was disclosed by the late actor himself that if he was given the option to turn back time, he would in a heartbeat.

A series of excerpts containing Benjy’s personal reflections were shared on our sister Malay-language portal Getaran recently.

The letters, of which there are three in total, were originally addressed to famed director Shuhaimi Baba. In one of the musings whilst in prison, Benjy shared:

“[In] possession of 4.5 grams of meth while coming off a KL-Kuala Namu flight was not one of my better life choices, but I must admit that it is definitely one I wish I had a time machine for. It's lonely for me here... not due to the lack of fellow inmates but due to the lack of English-speaking ones... There are many things in life that I miss so terribly much but what I long for nowadays are my mother’s urging words... her words like ‘this too shall pass’ or ‘let go and let God’ or ‘solat Ben... He hears you...’ would always aid me in my struggle to make sense of life. But now without her voice in my ear, without her presence... Though I am doing my level best, giving it all I have got to adapt to this new life... I can feel a little part of me dying with each passing day...”

She then highlighted that despite the circumstances that had befallen her late brother, there certainly were moments where he wanted to turn a new leaf before his incarceration. 

“Between 2011-2012, Ben almost died, and the family helped him to recover to a point where he started acting again.

“Aside from acting, he also tried more conventional jobs as well, but there were many times where there were obstacles in terms of allowing him to get things back on track fully,” she said.

While there were individuals that came to help the late actor, there were also those who did not give him the time of day.

Detailing the relationship Shuhaimi Baba has with the family, she shares, “We are dearly indebted to her, and she is our guardian angel. We fondly call her ‘Shumi’”.

“Shumi was actually mad at first after hearing the news because she had just spoken to Ben the month before he passed. She was one of the individuals that my brother had called for assistance, but at the time because she was busy with #ApaKhabarOrangArtist, and we totally understand her position."

That said, the director did help in pushing Benjy’s ruminations to light by linking up with the media, which can be seen in the excerpt displayed above.

“For everything that she has done for Ben, I am so grateful, and it is not just to Ben because she has been there for all of us in the family, one way or another,” expressed Ines.

“When mama wanted to write a book, Shumi bought her a laptop, and the funny part was mama ‘buta IT’ (tech-challenged). When my mom wanted anything, even at 2am, Shumi was there.

“Shumi directed 'Layar Lara', and it is one of my favourites not just of my mom’s but of the industry ever – she had set the benchmark. Ben was also in it, and I was an extra. So, we have been close to Shumi ever since.

“She’s been there for most of the time we have known her, and that is why Ben was comfortable with her where it was not that he was taking advantage of the relationship or any of that kind,” she added.

Ines continued to note that there were also a lot of other silent angels that helped the family along the way.

July 11, 2021

Ines shared the complications of the fateful day when news of her brother’s death came to light.

“[Prior to receiving the news of Benjy’s passing] My sister had already been given a notification by the prison representative that my brother was really sick, and they were rushing him to the hospital because my brother’s condition was critical. 

“It was not the first time that we have gotten a call like that before, but of course we were worried and the difference this time was the prison said that they will call us back. When the call came in the second time about 40 minutes later, he was already gone.

“My sister was mentally prepared for this news because she said that Ben’s health condition had been worsening of late, which I was not fully aware of and it’s purely because she did not want me to worry.

“When the news broke, I didn't even have the chance to process things properly, it was all ‘okay, what do we need to do or sort now’ mode to control the situation (in relation to managing communications between people and press) – I was levelled.

“This is something normal of me when it comes to grief, and I am someone who registers death very late as compared to other members in the family. This was similarly the state to how I reacted to my mom’s passing,” she said.

“It was not until the second day, late in the evening that I started to break down, having digested the reality of it all. The prison had sent pictures of the events that took place that day up until when they were preparing him for burial.

“There were contemplations that came running through my mind of course – whether I had done enough? What were his last thoughts and his last moments like?

“He was born, and he grew up very bitter, confused about life in general. I do not know if I want to go into further detail than what has already been said (and reported).

“There were many battles that he had won, but there were also equal amounts where he had lost – the cracks that he fell into were terribly deep, and unfortunately hard for us to pull him back out,” added Ines with despair.

“For those that have come forward, I want to thank you. Not just with Ben’s recent passing, but since the beginning when my brother got arrested.

“Of course, social media was not as big as it is today but from then there were people who showed us support.”

Medan may well be where the late actor is laid to rest, but Benjy Ibrahim’s life lessons or legacy (for those that hold a special place for him in their hearts) is imprinted vividly here in his homeland. – The Vibes, July 18, 2021

*More of The Vibes' interview with Benjy Ibrahim’s younger sister, Inessa Irdayanty in the video below…