Going to prison is quite enlightening - Along Cham

Actor and comedian, Along Cham, 42, described his experience in detention at Sungai Buloh Prison, early last month, as a moment of enlightenment.

Among the most memorable moments was when Along claimed to be approached by an individual said to be the Deputy Director of Sungai Buloh Prison to give him words of encouragement in living life behind the iron curtain.

Along or his real name, Muhammad Nizamudin Ahmad, said prison is not a scary place as some have hyped it up, on the contrary, the premise is a field of enlightenment if the rules are followed properly.

"My experience when I was in the Sungai Buloh 'madrasah' (Sungai Buloh Prison), when the iron curtain was opened.... I had all kinds of feelings. We were previously bombarded with all kinds of stories behind the iron curtain.

"But I didn't expect it, I was greeted with smiles by the guards... They gave me encouragement. In prison, I got a lot of lessons and input.

Going to prison is quite enlightening - Along Cham

"I was told by my superiors, the Deputy Director of Sungai Buloh Prison, to come see me on my second day there. He wanted to make sure I didn't have any mental problems and so on.

"I was placed in a security block called Blok Tawakal, which is for cases that received widespread coverage," he said in the first episode of D'Apetu Show hosted by actor and host Didie Alias, which was broadcast live on YouTube D'Apetu Show, last night.

Along said that one of the things that left the deepest impression on his heart was when he received meaningful advice from an important individual in the prison involved.

"The Deputy Director came to see me so much that it surprised me.

"The first thing he did when we met was he grabbed my shoulder and said, you haven't been labeled a prisoner yet. I want you to be stronger after you get out of here. You promise me."

"Imagine the Deputy Director of Sungai Buloh Prison coming to tell me that. He said as long as I don't do anything wrong in prison, they won't mess with me," he said, unable to hold back his tears.

On January 27, the Sepang Sessions Court acquitted Along without bail (DNAA) on one charge of possession of drugs suspected of being cannabis found at his residence in Cyberjaya, December last year.

However, Along was charged at the Sepang Magistrate's Court on two other charges, namely possession and introduction of drugs and was granted bail of RM5,000.

On December 20 last year, Along was charged with possession of suspected dangerous drugs of the type cannabis weighing an estimated 58.23 grams at a house in Cyber ​​9, Cyberjaya, near here at 3.10pm on December 14.

Faizal Tahir Angkat Identiti Melayu Di Jati Diri

Penyanyi dan komposer, Faizal Tahir mengetengahkan mesej supaya masyarakat tidak melupakan asal usul, akar budaya dan identiti Melayu yang kini semakin ditelan arus globalisasi menerusi album terbaharu berjudul Jati Diri.

Menariknya, majlis pelancaran album Jati Diri menampilkan konsep unik bertemakan 'kenduri kendara' dan 'rewang' di Bagan Lalang, Sungai Pelek, baru-baru ini.

Konsep dipilih bukan sekadar sebagai tema majlis pelancaran, tetapi sebagai lambang budaya dan nilai perpaduan yang ingin diketengahkan dalam karya baharunya.

Faizal berkata, konsep itu sangat dekat di hatinya kerana ia melambangkan semangat gotong-royong, perpaduan dan kebersamaan yang semakin pudar dalam masyarakat moden.

Konsep ini menggambarkan perkara baik wajar dikongsi bersama. Apabila berkumpul untuk sesuatu yang positif, kita bukan sahaja memperoleh keberkatan Allah, tetapi memperkukuhkan semangat kasih sayang antara satu sama lain," katanya.

Menurut Faizal, album Jati Diri bukan sekadar karya muzik, malah ia juga sebagai peringatan.

"Saya mahu melihat berapa banyak jati diri yang semakin hilang.

"Saya ingin ingatkan masyarakat mengenai kepentingan memahami dan menghargai asal usul, budaya dan agama agar tidak hilang arah," katanya.

Album Jati Diri hasil kerjasama Faizal bersama penerbit muda, Glowrush turut menampilkan dua figura hebat dalam industri muzik, Altimet dan Datuk M Nasir sebagai penyanyi undangan.

Pemilihan dibuat kerana pengaruh besar dan kebijaksanaan mereka dalam menyampaikan mesej bermakna melalui karya.

Dari segi susunan muzik dan lirik, Jati Diri berbeza daripada album Faizal sebelum ini kerana ia lebih berakar kepada budaya dan warisan tempatan.

Faizal berkata, cabaran terbesar dalam proses rakaman adalah memastikan setiap elemen dalam album sejajar dengan visi dan mesej yang ingin disampaikan.

"Orang Kampung adalah lagu pertama dalam album. Karya ini ceria, penuh semangat, meraikan keunikan dan nilai kehidupan di kampung.

"Dengan melodi rancak dan lirik menggambarkan keindahan budaya dan sikap mesra orang kampung, lagu ini membawa pendengar merasai kehangatan suasana desa.

"Ia bukan sekadar hiburan, tetapi satu penghormatan kepada nilai dan semangat kebersamaan yang masih kuat dalam masyarakat kampung," katanya.

Tambah Faizal, lagu Orang Kampung mengajak pendengar menghargai asal-usul dan keindahan hidup sederhana yang penuh kebahagiaan.

"Saya berusaha menyampaikan mesej melalui muzik kreatif dan kontemporari tanpa mengorbankan nilai tradisional.

"Album Jati Diri menggabungkan elemen muzik tradisional dengan sentuhan moden agar kekal relevan di hati generasi lama dan muda," katanya.