Latest news with #Ramlee
AsiaOne
7 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
'I'm doing all this from my heart': Senior volunteer on his love of helping the community for almost 30 years, Lifestyle News
At 66, Ramlee bin Kasiman is still working hard — not just at his day job, but also to give back to the community. Currently serving as the chairman of Nee Soon East Malay Activity Executive Committee (MAEC) and Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC), Ramlee has been volunteering for the past 28 years. He joined the People's Association's Grassroots Organisations in 1996. The 66-year-old's duties as the MAEC and CACC chairman include organising events for the community in the area — ranging from festivities like the recent Hari Raya celebration at Nee Soon East Seniors' Hub on April 26 and cultural shows, to food rescues where edible food is collected and distributed for free at community areas. Additionally, Ramlee also attends Meet-the-People sessions every Monday to offer help to those in need — especially ones in the Malay community that might require his help to step forward with their cases due to language barriers. Despite his commitment to serving the community, Ramlee continues to work part-time as a taxi driver — a job he has held since the 90s. Juggling all these responsibilities is no easy feat. According to the chairman, it comes with sacrifices. As a taxi driver, Ramlee stated that "every minute is money", and taking time out of his day to carry out his responsibilities as a volunteer coupled with spending time with his family has impacted his finances. "Most of the time, my income is not that good," he shared openly. But that doesn't deter him from doing his part in the volunteering community. "I'm doing all of this [from] my heart," he continued, while explaining that he could have earned more money driving his taxi instead of attending community meetings. "But I don't think about that," Ramlee said, expressing that he's happy despite the loss of income on days that he chooses to show up at events. Sharing with AsiaOne, the father of two said that he doesn't expect any reward for doing what he does. Despite there being awards being given to members of the community, none of them are important to him. 'I don't care about that. I leave it to them. I'm happy [with] what I'm doing,' he said. What Ramlee does care about are the human connections he gets to make from these experiences. "I'm happiest when I mix around with people. Especially when it's not [just] my committee, [but also] the residents. When we carry out activities like giving out porridge during the fasting month, [we get to] know each other. [The people I help] are happy. That's what I gain," he shared. And it's this passion and dedication that has left a lasting impression on the ones Ramlee has come across on his decades-long volunteering journey — including one resident he's known since the 2000s who still calls him every day now. "Every day this person must call me at least two, three, four times. Because she stays alone,' he shared, adding that the resident suffers from stage-four brain cancer, so he tries to help her to the best of his abilities during times of need. "I help her with what I can. [When] she asks me to [help with] bills or buy bread," he said. Besides being a volunteer himself, Ramlee is also an advocate for volunteerism — and he encourages others to give back to the community by being empathetic. Understanding that many might have other commitments and constraints — he stresses that he invites interested individuals to join him by being open and flexible. Explaining that while volunteering is important, he believes that it's about whether people are willing. "Volunteering is [from] your heart,' Ramlee said, adding that if a committee member doesn't turn up for a meeting, he would never question them. As for those who want to start volunteering but can't fully commit, Ramlee encourages them to take the first step by volunteering at individual community events. "Come join us, but just for the event," he said, emphasising that you don't need to join the committee officially in order to volunteer. As for himself, he intends to continue volunteering for the community for as long as they need him, despite his age. 'Of course, with age catching up, people can take over me. Then, I will become a mentor. [As long as] I'm still breathing, I will do it,' he stated. [[nid:713335]]
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Aziz M. Osman's modern take on Ramlee screen classic
VETERAN, award-winning filmmaker Aziz M. Osman is now delivering a new cinematic experience with '6 Jilake', which has hit over 100 local cinemas beginning on April 24. This action-comedy, inspired by the King of Entertainment Tan Sri P. Ramlee's '6 Jahanam', is not a remake but a fresh take on a cult classic and is aimed at familiarising the Ramlee movie among today's audiences. The film is produced by Eartistic Sdn Bhd and set in 18th century Perak. The story revolves around a Dutch mercenary spy's attempt to seize a secret gold mine in Kampung Ketayap. COWBOYS At the recent preview of his new movie, Aziz said: "The movie '6 Jilake' wasis inspired by those old cowboy movies where a group of outlaws want to take over a small town or village. "The residents are tormented, and unite to hire a brave, young warrior to defend their home and dignity." Aziz added that the film's title was his playful twist on '6 Jahanam' and reflected his modern approach in the form of contemporary slang. "This, coupled with subtle and humourous tributes to timeless issues facing society, is my way of getting Malaysian viewers of today to enjoy traditional martial arts, learn about Perak's history, and also get acquainted with one of Ramlee's gems," he said. STELLAR The film boasts a stellar cast, including Amerul Affendi, Bell Ngasri, Saiful Apek, Kazar Saisi, Asmidar, Kamarool Yusof, Laura Olivia, Wan Gegau, Wan Raja, Mamak Puteh, Jalil Hamid, Myza Rafika, Adam John, Amy Nur Tinie, TJ Isa, Datuk Remy Ishak, Datin Maria Farida, Ayda Jebat, David Teo, Datuk Fauziah Nawi, Abon and Amen Khalid. Aziz described his cast list as a strategic one with emphasis on popular actors who are crowd-pullers. "We need actors who can attract audiences to the cinema. Apek, Bell and Amerul are hugely popular talents who have become household names," he said. "Each character has a fair share of screen time and development, and that means ample opportunity for them to provide performances that pack a punch." MAGICAL The film's producer Dr Nur Shasa Ain Abdul Aziz said: "Many of us have grown up with Aziz's magical touch in filmmaking which is always out of the box. "Never one to take short cuts, he went all out to recreate an 18th century village somewhere in Gopeng, Perak and that location is picturesque with rolling limestone hills, lush greenery and winding rivers," she said. GOPENG Filming took place over 32 days in January, and the film was produced with a RM1 million Digital Content Fund (DKD) allocation from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas). "The film '6 Jilake' is more than just an action-comedy romp, it's a blend of genres, offering joy, sadness, laughter and lessons," he said. "The film doesn't rely on typical slapstick scenes and jokes but features lots of moral values and aims to inspire." CAKES The film also incorporates elements of Malay culture, using names of traditional cakes, like Badak Berendam, Sepit, Kole Kacang, Bingka Ubi, Tart Nanas and Talam for its characters. As for Jilake, he added that it was a quote by Rani Kulup, the Perak-born social activist and social media celebrity who popularised the catchphrase "Kipidap" over the last decade. "I also wanted to celebrate tradition like my old friend Mamat Khalid and insert a bit of history in it, like the fact that the Dutch tried to control the tin trade in Perak in the 18th century. "After all, I am a history buff, as shown by 'XX-Ray' and 'Leftenan Adnan', and furthermore I began my directing career with Malay costume dramas in the 1980s." TRADITION Aziz also said that Malay tradition in movies sells as seen by Syamsul Yusof's 'Mat Kilau' three years ago. Aziz is dedicating '6 Jilake' to the late veteran actress Datin Noor Azizah, who played his long-suffering mother in the 1976 tear-jerker 'Sayang Anakku Sayang' and who became a close friend over the years. "She has always been my favourite screen mother, and losing her was like losing a big part of my childhood," he said. VILLAIN Saiful Apek thanked Aziz for casting him as the film's main villain. He said that he was delighted to play a more serious person and get out of his comfort zone. "I've played lots of serious people in the past, even though fans prefer me to be a comedian. The real Apek is 50 per cent funny and 50 per cent serious." KUNG-FU Amerul is honoured to play a "badass" freelance warrior a la Kwai Chiang Caine of Kung-Fu, who stands for justice and is extremely upright. "My character is more of an anti-hero than a hero as he is full of flaws yet he is likeable and relatable to viewers." The film's preview took place at GSC Mid Valley and was attended by Aziz, Dr Shasa and most of the main cast.
