Nothing wrong with being professional comedian, Afdlin hits back at Rafizi

Summary

• Actor Afdlin Shauki does not take kindly to Rafizi Ramli's remark that the Setiawangsa PKR division was won by a ‘professional comedian’.

• Afdlin says he is not ashamed of the label, but it should not be used to ridicule grassroots support for him.

Setiawangsa PKR chief Afdlin Shauki has taken offence at the party’s incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s remarks regarding the former’s career as a “professional comedian”.

Chiding Rafizi, who reportedly remarked at a ceramah on Saturday night, Afdlin said that while he is not ashamed of his background in the arts scene, such matters should not be weaponised to dispute the party grassroots’ support for him.

Afdlin (above) noted that while he has the utmost respect for Rafizi as a figure who has contributed to the party’s policies, the economy minister’s comment, even if made in jest, carries significant implications.

“I am not ashamed of the ‘professional comedian’ label. I am also a director, producer, writer, educator and social activist. These roles are integral to my identity as a creative practitioner and how I have supported my family over the years,” Afdlin said in a statement last night.

“However, when such labels are used to question the legitimacy of my (party) leadership and the mandate given to me by grassroots members, they take on a more dismissive tone suggesting that the voices of those who elected me are less valid simply because I do not come from a conventional political background.”

He stressed that while he is open to holding discussions, he will not stand by quietly if his supporters are marginalised simply because he did not emerge from the same “political factory”.

Not a fluke

Afdlin also dismissed insinuations that his victory at the party’s recent divisional polls was a fluke, highlighting how wins were secured by his entire Setiawangsa team, including the deputy chief, youth chief and committee members.

Such results, he said, indicated that his win was not a personal victory, but a collective expression from the grassroots calling for new leadership that is willing to engage with the community, rather than only appearing on stage in discourse forums.

“I have no intention of prolonging this issue, (but) if we are serious about ensuring that PKR remains relevant, we must learn to embrace difference, not ridicule it.

“Young people, professionals, those in the arts and ordinary Malaysians should view this party as an inclusive platform for struggle, not a space for internal mockery among leaders,” he added.

Afdlin emerged victorious against Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in his bid for the Setiawangsa PKR chief seat, beating the minister by 631 votes to 563.

Earlier, Afdlin told Malaysiakini that challengers in the party’s polls eyed the replacement of incumbent office-holders who were said to be “too busy” with other duties.

Afdlin, on his second attempt to unseat Nik Nazmi, said his team of candidates had engaged with party members who claimed to have “never met” the Setiawangsa MP.

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