Artists can be leaders too, says Perikatan’s Subang Jaya candidate

KUALA LUMPUR – Actor-comedian turned-politician S. Gana Pragasam has questioned why there are double standards when it comes to accepting people of different professions who join politics.

“When a doctor or lawyer joins politics, no one questions them... nor think twice about it. But when an artist does it, then the first question is why an artist is in politics,” he said when met.

“Artists are people too, and we have dreams and aspirations. As an artist, I have always put myself in other people’s shoes, understood their struggles and always made a point to bring up social issues in my films,” he said.

Gana starred in the movie Appalam which was directed by Datuk Afdlin Shauki.

He is contesting Subang Jaya under a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket, and faces a three-cornered fight against incumbent Michele Ng of Pakatan Harapan and Muda’s Zayd Shaukat Ali.

Gana said that his comedy projects and film productions emphasise the struggles people face in life, and always highlight social issues.

As comedy is his forte, the actor never fails to inject social issues into his films.

He said there is a lot of homework to be done when touching on social elements in films.

“I would go around, meet people, and ask their views and opinions on certain matters, how they feel about it and I would take the time to understand them. This is not just for the creative content but also helps me to better understand the social and current issues in the community,” he said.

He hopes to continue to do the same, as he takes the huge step of entering politics.

“I am actually not a new face in politics. Maybe before this, I was just an ordinary member of a political party so people did not know me much. My nomination for the Subang Jaya state seat has given me more popularity than that of being an artist,” he said when met during a meet-and-greet today.

The actor, who has many ideas to improve the lives of the Subang Jaya community, said that his latest film Mee Curry The Movie is currently on hold and will continue after the state election.

“Even in this new film, I have touched on issues of social elements. My films before this, such as Kuttua Kampung (Ketua Kampung), for example, questioned the size of low-cost flats, which are too small for families living there. In the film Pattanathu Thatha (Ketua Bandar) I portrayed the social weight and impact of poor distribution of wealth,” Gana said.

“Now that I have been given the mandate in politics, I believe (that) with the support from the community, I can bring up the issues that I have highlighted in my films, and resolve them amicably,” said Gana, adding that he is passionate about nature and the environment. – The Vibes, August 3, 2023