Latest news with #Bidaah
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Faizal Hussein admits to newfound fame after "Bidaah"
23 May - Faizal Hussein recently admitted that he is being recognised by more people outside Malaysia following the success of his web drama, "Bidaah". The actor, who plays the role of cult leader Walid in the drama penned by Erma Fatima, said that he has been getting a lot of offers to appear on podcast shows and do digital content since playing the character, which has now gone viral. "They offered me a hefty amount of money. But I turned them down because none of that was a part of my profession as an actor," he said. Faizal also admitted that his social media following has also grown larger, both from those who enjoyed his performance and those who jokingly offered themselves to be his wife. "I don't understand why they would be sending me such messages, although I am their father or grandfather's age. But then again, as long as I don't respond, it's fine," he added. It is noted that Indonesian viewers were the ones who enjoyed the drama very much, with the character Walid and his infamous line, "Close your eyes and imagine my face" becoming the new Internet meme. (Photo Source: Faizal Hussein IG)
Free Malaysia Today
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Creative industry can boost M'sia-Indonesia ties, says ambassador
Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, with Malaysian director Erma Fatima. JAKARTA : Malaysia's creative industry, particularly in film and drama, has the potential to become a new bridge for strengthening cultural ties with Indonesia, according to Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin. Speaking during a courtesy call by Malaysian director Erma Fatima, whose real name is Fatimah Rahmad, and her delegation, he said the power of storytelling and the shared cultural values between the countries could help deepen bilateral relations. 'Once upon a time, Malaysia and Indonesia had a cultural exchange programme known as Titian Muhibah, organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Televisi Republik Indonesia, and Radio Republik Indonesia,' he said. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the programme had served as a platform for introducing arts and culture, and strengthening bilateral relations. 'It is time to revive the era of closeness between Malaysia and Indonesia. Through various creative initiatives, we can build new bridges that further strengthen the sense of kinship and the Nusantara spirit,' he said. The most successful local production to penetrate the Indonesian market so far is the animated series Upin & Ipin, which has captured the hearts of young viewers and become a cultural icon representing Malaysia across Indonesia. 'The success of Upin & Ipin proves that high-quality content that resonates with regional values has great potential for international acceptance,' Syed Mohamad Hasrin said. Malaysia can also take pride in its latest television series Bidaah, produced by Erma's Rumah Karya Citra, which has the potential to be another important platform for enhancing cultural ties with Indonesia. 'We hope that local works highlighting shared values will form the foundation for strong Malaysia–Indonesia relations and renew the spirit of cultural cooperation in this modern era,' Syed Mohamad Hasrin said. Since its premiere last month, Bidaah has become the most-watched drama on Viu, an online streaming platform, garnering over 2.5 billion views across digital platforms and social media in Malaysia and Indonesia.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Creative industry can strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia relations, says ambassador
A press conference with the stars of the Viu series Bidaah. The series has the potential to be another important platform for enhancing cultural ties with Indonesia. - ONG SOON HIN/The Star JAKARTA: Malaysia's creative industry, particularly in film and drama, has the potential to become a new bridge for strengthening cultural ties with Indonesia, according to Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin. Speaking during a courtesy call by renowned Malaysian director Erma Fatima, whose real name is Fatimah Rahmad, and her delegation, he said that the power of storytelling and the shared cultural values between the two countries could help deepen bilateral relations. "Once upon a time, Malaysia and Indonesia had a cultural exchange programme known as Titian Muhibah, organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI), and Radio Republik Indonesia," he said. Syed Mohamad Hasrin noted that the programme served as a platform to introduce the arts, culture, and to strengthen bilateral relations continuously. However, it is no longer active, leaving a gap in the once-close cultural ties. "It is time to revive the era of closeness between Malaysia and Indonesia. Through various creative initiatives, we can build new bridges that further strengthen the sense of kinship and the Nusantara spirit," he said. The most successful local production to penetrate the Indonesian market so far has been the animated series Upin & Ipin, which has captured the hearts of young viewers and become a cultural icon representing Malaysia across Indonesia. "The success of Upin & Ipin proves that high-quality content that resonates with regional values has great potential for international acceptance," he added. Malaysia can now also take pride in the latest television series Bidaah, produced by Erma's Rumah Karya Citra, which has the potential to be another important platform for enhancing cultural ties with Indonesia. "We hope that local works highlighting shared values will form the foundation for strong Malaysia-Indonesia relations and renew the spirit of cultural cooperation in this modern era," Syed Mohamad Hasrin said. Since its premiere last month, Bidaah has become the most-watched drama on Viu, an online streaming platform, garnering over 2.5 billion views across digital platforms and social media in Malaysia and Indonesia. - Bernama
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Creative industry can boost Malaysia-Indonesia ties, says ambassador
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, with Malaysian director Erma Fatima. JAKARTA: Malaysia's creative industry, particularly in film and drama, has the potential to become a new bridge for strengthening cultural ties with Indonesia, according to Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin. Speaking during a courtesy call by Malaysian director Erma Fatima, whose real name is Fatimah Rahmad, and her delegation, he said the power of storytelling and the shared cultural values between the countries could help deepen bilateral relations. 'Once upon a time, Malaysia and Indonesia had a cultural exchange programme known as Titian Muhibah, organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Televisi Republik Indonesia, and Radio Republik Indonesia,' he said. Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the programme had served as a platform for introducing arts and culture, and strengthening bilateral relations. 'It is time to revive the era of closeness between Malaysia and Indonesia. Through various creative initiatives, we can build new bridges that further strengthen the sense of kinship and the Nusantara spirit,' he said. The most successful local production to penetrate the Indonesian market so far is the animated series Upin & Ipin, which has captured the hearts of young viewers and become a cultural icon representing Malaysia across Indonesia. 'The success of Upin & Ipin proves that high-quality content that resonates with regional values has great potential for international acceptance,' Syed Mohamad Hasrin said. Malaysia can also take pride in its latest television series Bidaah, produced by Erma's Rumah Karya Citra, which has the potential to be another important platform for enhancing cultural ties with Indonesia. 'We hope that local works highlighting shared values will form the foundation for strong Malaysia–Indonesia relations and renew the spirit of cultural cooperation in this modern era,' Syed Mohamad Hasrin said. Since its premiere last month, Bidaah has become the most-watched drama on Viu, an online streaming platform, garnering over 2.5 billion views across digital platforms and social media in Malaysia and Indonesia. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
South China Morning Post
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Malaysian series ‘Bidaah' on Islamic cult tops 1 billion streams but stirs controversy
A Malaysian online series about a fictional Islamic cult has topped a billion streams across local users and in Indonesia, with its disturbing depiction of a predatory cult leader igniting strong emotions and debate among Muslims in Southeast Asia. Advertisement Bidaah – meaning heresy – centres on a young woman compelled by her devout mother to join a religious sect steered by an enigmatic and authoritarian leader. But the woman soon uncovers the group's troubling practices, including forced marriages, unquestioning obedience, and rituals that starkly deviate from authentic Islamic teachings. The series, which is streaming on Hong Kong's Viu, reached 1 billion views on its digital platforms on April 3, according to the company. The show's lurid depiction of grooming young women, and scenes of followers drinking the leader's bath water, have struck a nerve in Indonesia and Malaysia, where a series of scandals over recent years have been uncovered involving religious groups spinning off from mainstream Islam. A screengrab from 'Bidaah', the Malaysian online series which centres on a young woman compelled by her devout mother to join a religious sect steered by an enigmatic and authoritarian leader. Photo: Viu Indonesians took to TikTok to express outrage and disgust at the series.
