Latest news with #ElizabethTan
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Aliff Syukri: I never intended to promote LGBT elements in music video
SEPANG: Cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman said that the 'Kelepok Raya' music video was never intended to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) elements. "First of all, I wish to apologise and stress that I had no intention whatsoever to promote LGBT on any social media platform, especially as I am married and a father of six. "I was also recently appointed as a youth icon (Federal Territories Youth Icon Special Award). Moreover, for almost ten consecutive years I have been among the top zakat contributors in Selangor. "So I find it unlikely that I would tarnish my own reputation by promoting LGBT values. This issue has been misunderstood," he said in response to a question from his lawyer. Aliff Syukri, 38, added that he would never do anything that sets a bad example for his wife and six children, such as promoting LGBT themes as alleged. He made this statement during the main examination by lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud at his defence hearing for four charges of uploading the Raya-themed video three years ago before Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman. Aliff also revealed that the production of the music video was inspired by the music videos of singers Hael Husaini and Elizabeth Tan. The businessman said that he drew inspiration from the music videos of both artistes to create 'Kelepok Raya'. "I showed the two clips by Hael Husaini and Elizabeth Tan to all the dancers and told them I wanted (the choreography) to be like that. "The dancers in the video were professional dancers whom I hired to perform and act alongside me in the music video," he said while reading his witness statement. The court was also shown Elizabeth Tan's music video 'Shh' for identification purposes. According to him, the dancers were given the freedom to wear clothing they felt was appropriate, with no coercion involved. "As for the makeup, I also gave them freedom, as it is normal for actors to wear makeup during filming to avoid looking dull or oily on camera. "In terms of dance style, I told the dancers to perform freestyle moves based on their own preferences," he said. He explained that he did not hire a choreographer and that all the dancers were free to perform in their own style. "For the four short videos uploaded to the Instagram account 'aliffsyukriterlajaklaris' as stated in the charges against me, these were not the full versions. They were merely teasers for the full video. And I did not personally upload those four short clips to the account." "For your information, my Instagram account could also be accessed by my content manager Nazril Azri and two of my assistants at the time, Liyana and Shazwan (nickname 'Wan Utara')," he said. Aliff Syukri also denied uploading the four 'Kelepok Raya' clips himself and believes it was done by one of his content managers, as one of them had access to the mobile phone with login credentials to the 'aliffsyukriterlajaklaris' account. "I never gave any instructions to any of my staff—whether Nazril Azri, Liyana or Shazwan—to upload any part of the Kelepok Raya music video onto any of my social media platforms because the video had not yet undergone editing and approval by me. "Once again, I emphasise that I am not the person who uploaded those four videos as alleged in the charges against me," he said. On March 14, the Sessions Court ordered Aliff Syukri to enter his defence against four charges of uploading indecent video content. Judge Ahmad Fuad made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Aliff Syukri at the close of the prosecution's case.
Scoop
04-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Funding Crisis Increases Danger And Risks For Refugees
2 May 2025 With humanitarian resources running dry, critical support for millions of forcibly displaced people is under threat. UNHCR said that two-thirds of countries hosting refugees are already severely overstretched and urgently need support to continue providing education, healthcare and shelter. Global solidarity with those fleeing conflict and violence is weakening, the agency added. 'No one wants to be a refugee for life' 'The safety that refugees seek in neighbouring countries is at risk,' said Elizabeth Tan, Director of International Protection at UNHCR. ' Without international solidarity and burden-sharing, the institution of asylum is under threat.' Ms Tan noted that some 12,000 Central African refugees in Chad and Cameroon have expressed a desire to return home but cannot do so safely without transport and reintegration assistance. 'No one wants to be a refugee for life,' she said. Lifesaving services Marking the agency's 75th anniversary, Ms Tan reminded journalists that refugees – unlike migrants – have lost the protection of their home countries. ' They arrive across borders traumatised, often after experiencing torture or persecution, and they need specialised support – including mental health care,' she said. Children separated from their families face especially grave risks, including recruitment by armed groups, exploitation and trafficking. Protecting them, Ms Tan stressed, 'is not a luxury – it is lifesaving.'
