‘Don’t rant, come to our meetings’
Seniman: Complaining online won’t change situation
Actress Tiz Zaqyah taken to task by artistes’ association over social media rants.
PETALING JAYA: Local actress Tiz Zaqyah has been urged to attend the general meetings of Persatuan Seniman Malaysia to voice out her problems or share her suggestions.
Seniman president Zed Zaidi, also an actor, said ranting on social media would not change the situation or help fellow artistes.
“It is easy to just talk, but when we call for all artistes to come to our meetings, we don’t see her. If she feels she is having problems, please speak up at the meeting. If she has many complaints, I will appoint her as a committee member next year.
“Don’t compare us with the entertainment industry overseas. While they have been around for a long time, our association is still learning. That’s why we need everyone to support us and give ideas,” he told mStar Online.
Zed was commenting on Tiz’s disappointment with the local entertainment industry and that artistes were not duly rewarded for their contribution.
The Nur Kasih actress claimed on her Instagram Stories that she had to face society’s negative perception that artistes were stupid. She also questioned Seniman’s role and the benefits of joining it.
Tiz then compared local showbiz to that in other countries, based on her experience filming Oh My English in New York a few years ago.
She said the interests of the extras there, such as minimum wage and working hours, were handled by their association.
Zed said Tiz should read what is printed on the membership card if she is a member of Seniman.
He said Seniman is sponsoring several welfare plans for the artistes and has helped to obtain life insurance schemes for them.
“The membership card is important as it functions as a licence to protect the industry from being flooded with foreign actors.
“We need a body to control and issue licences – the membership cards – to those who want to be active in the industry,” he said.