Decision to join Umno an old one

KUALA LUMPUR: Comedian Afdlin Shauki has refuted claims his decision to join Umno on Jan 3 was related to his final gig during the Maharaja Lawak Mega (MLM) show.

He said his decision to join Umno was made before the reality show's finale late last year.

“I know a lot has been said about my performance during the show but that is not the case,” Afdlin told The Malay Mail yesterday in reference to comments made by his former comedy partner Mohd Hakim “Bob” Lokman last Friday.

Mohd Hakim had suggested that Umno had coerced Afdlin into joining them after AfdlinÂ's performance allegedly made reference to some individuals within Umno circles and had “possibly tarnished the partyÂ's reputation”.

During the final gig, Afdlin, 40, portrayed a wealthy Datin who was cheated by her husband. He and his partner, Harun Salim Bachik, 52, came in second, winning RM200,000 for their performance. Harun also followed Afdlin in handing over their membership forms to Umno secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh.

“The truth is the decision to join the party was made long before the MLM final show. It so happened that Umno and I had agreed to do the formalities after the show was over,” he said.

Questioned on Mohd HakimÂ's claim that he never had any political inclinations before, Afdlin said: “My friends would not have known. My political inclination is my personal right. For a long time now, I have been supporting Umno. It was only now that I came forward because I feel I can help the film industry from within.”

He insisted he had yet to harbour any strong political inclination and his role from within the party would be to help with the welfare of those working within the Malaysian film, TV and music industry.

“In Malaysia, most profit gets channelled to the corporations. The artists who generate the idea or the creative person behind it all often do not get the monetary returns that befit their work. This is among the main areas I feel needed to be looked into,” he said.

“There is also the need to have equal spread of opportunities for people within the industry, without any favouritism.”

Afdlin maintained his relationship with colleagues and friends from different political backgrounds would not be affected by his latest move.

“I donÂ't really care if they are from PKR, PAS or Umno. We vote in our own way to make Malaysia a better place. The most important thing here is the goal is the same.” he said.