Latest news with #Senario
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Yassin's detention ordeal: Slept standing up in lockup, returns with only clothes on back
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular Malaysian comedian Yassin Yahya, a member of the beloved group Senario, has finally spoken out about his six-month detention in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Returning to Malaysia last week after his release from the Foreign Nationals Administration and Deportation Centre, Yassin clarified that his arrest was not drug-related but stemmed from his unwitting possession of prohibited items. In a special podcast episode of 'Darkcast' titled "Special Episode - Yassin Yahya, guilty or ???" with Saiful Apek, broadcast on YouTube's Gitu Gitu Studio, Yassin recounted the harrowing experience. He explained that his journey to perform Umrah, his first, was a spontaneous decision after an offer to sponsor 25 artistes. "I was excited and thought this was the time," he shared, describing the dilemma he faced with existing work commitments. A conversation with his mother, who had just prayed for one of her children to perform Umrah, solidified his decision. However, a tight schedule meant he had little time for proper preparation. "I only prepared by studying on YouTube for a short time," he admitted. The unfortunate incident unfolded upon his arrival in Jeddah on Oct 27 last year. Prior to his eight-hour flight, Yassin, seeking a way to smoke during his journey, purchased cigarette papers, a grinder, and a pack of cigarettes at the airport. It was the grinder, bearing a symbol deemed prohibited in Saudi Arabia, that triggered his detention. "Arriving in Jeddah, my bag was scanned during the flight to Madinah. The customs officer saw something and ordered me to open my bag," he recalled. The officer, holding the grinder, immediately identified it as a suspicious item. Despite Yassin's explanation that they were for cigarettes and his offer to undergo a urine test, he was taken to a room, where he and his belongings were thoroughly searched. He recounted his frustration at the communication barrier and his instruction to his mutawif to proceed without him. Subsequently, Yassin was taken to the police station for questioning, but to his dismay, he was not released. "After the interrogation, they closed the searched bags and I thought they wanted to send me back to the group of pilgrims," he said. Instead, he was handcuffed and taken to a police station in a jeep. "I wonder what I did wrong. If I think about it, the symbol issue wouldn't be a crime. If I had done wrong, I would have been arrested in Malaysia. I really don't know about the laws there." Cut off from contact, Yassin found himself in a police lockup in Jeddah, where he spent ten days in dire conditions. "The conditions in the lockup were quite sad. The first time I slept standing up because the floor was full," he revealed, describing how he eventually found a spot to sleep in front of a toilet door. On Nov 5, Yassin was transferred to the Foreign Nationals Administration and Deportation Centre in Jeddah. He was finally able to contact the Malaysian consulate in Jeddah, who eventually facilitated a brief, albeit interrupted, call with his wife. An online court hearing on Nov 19 saw him sentenced to six months. "I admit my mistake. I told my wife, it was my mistake to bring something with a prohibited symbol, maybe I overlooked it. "This is a lesson, I want to say that if you go to someone's country, be careful. Don't bring items with prohibited symbols," he said. Upon his release last week, Yassin made the decision to return to Malaysia with only the clothes on his back, leaving all his belongings behind in Jeddah. "I left all my belongings in Jeddah as beautiful memories," he stated, explaining that recovering them would have extended his stay by another month, which he couldn't bear. He secured an emergency certificate as he had no other documents. Despite the ordeal, Yassin expressed no regrets, describing his six-month detention as a "study period" that offered invaluable life experience. "Alhamdulillah, this is not 'death and rebirth', but it is the next opportunity, and I have completed my studies at the university in Jeddah," he reflected. His overwhelming desire to reunite with his mother, wife, and children drove his swift return. He extended his gratitude to both the Jeddah and Malaysian consulates for their crucial assistance throughout his ordeal.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Jailed comedian confirms returning home for Aidiladha
COMEDIAN Yassin Yahya (pic) has confirmed that he will be returning to Malaysia before Hari Raya Aidiladha. The member of the comedian group, Senario, said he is still in jail in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but he added that he would be boarding a flight before June 6. 'Wait for my return to Malaysia. God willing, I'll be back very soon,' Utusan Malaysia reported him as saying. Yassin shared this latest update during a live session on TikTok via the account of his close friend, Rifkarl on Sunday. Saiful Apek & Yassin Yahya Senario - Gegar Vaganza 8 (GV8) 2021 It is understood that his wife, Farah Waheeda Maharidan, 46, and their child are also in Jeddah to accompany him during his return home. During the 30-minute session, Yassin answered various questions from fans, including how he has been during his time there. The 47-year-old also said he would be appearing in the theatre production titled Muzikal Lawak Bangsawan: Mimpi Tuanku @ Senariounion at the Panggung Bangsawan Melaka on June 28. Previously, it was reported that Yassin had been serving a six-month prison sentence in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since October last year for possession of a prohibited substance – cannabis. He is expected to be released earlier than scheduled for good behaviour. > The daily also reported that actress and social media personality Siti Elizad has hit back at netizens who criticised her husband, Shamsul Baharin Abdul Rahman, claiming he cannot provide her with a luxurious lifestyle. Elizad, whose full name is Siti Elizad Mohd Sharifuddin, said that while her life may not appear lavish to some, she is happy in her own way. 'Stop saying ridiculous things about my husband. What looks ordinary to you is extraordinary to me,' she said. Elizad said this in a post showing photographs of the couple during a motorbike convoy while celebrating her 41st birthday on Sunday. 'Our little home, meals at rest stops, RM80 hotels, laughing throughout the bike ride, taking boat rides. Those things already make me grateful,' she said. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Yassin back in Malaysia, wants to spend time with family
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor and comedian Yassin Yahya, who was reportedly arrested in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on drug-related charges, has been confirmed to have returned to Malaysia. His wife, Farah Waheeda Maharidan, confirmed his return to Harian Metro, stating simply: "Yes… Yassin has returned to Malaysia." Farah did not disclose the exact date of Yassin's return but affirmed that her husband, a member of the popular group Senario, was now reunited with his family after an absence of seven months from the entertainment industry. While not yet prepared to share the full story of Yassin's experience in Jeddah, Farah requested privacy for her husband to recover. "Please give Yassin space to rest and spend time with his family," she urged. "Actually, I wanted to keep this quiet, but I understand many are waiting for his return." According to Farah, Yassin is in good health and has gained weight. "Thank God he is healthy. His weight is also increasing," she said. "My whole family and I are happy to be reunited with Yassin." Previously, Yassin's absence from a Senario group event sparked concern among fans. The situation escalated when media outlets reported the arrest of a Malaysian comedian at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, last October, for possession of marijuana. Yassin's name was subsequently linked to the incident, although his Senario colleagues declined to comment at the time. It was understood that the comedian had been sentenced to six months in prison in Saudi Arabia and was expected to return to Malaysia around April. However, comedian and fellow Scenario member Saiful Apek had stated that Yassin was undergoing rehabilitation rather than being imprisoned.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Yassin Yahya to make public appearance next month
20 May - Yassin Yahya may be making his first public appearance next month as a part of the "Muzikal Lawak Bangsawan: Mimpi Tuanku" that will be staged on 28 June at the Panggung Bangsawan Melaka. The news was shared by Senario member Saiful Apek, who said that he was informed by Yassin's wife about the matter. "The event is being organised by his own company. So, that's all I can tell you because as of now, Senario members and myself don't have any development regarding Yassin," he said. Meanwhile, fellow member Azlee said that they have yet to meet Yassin since his return to Malaysia, but that he hopes everybody will pray for the comedian's well-being. "I hope that we will reunite soon, sit together and give each other a hug because it's been a while," he added. Yassin was previously speculated to be the comedian who had been arrested in Jeddah for drug possession. However, in a previous interview, Saiful Apek denied that Yassin was imprisoned, and said that the comedian was in rehab. (Photo Source: Saiful IG, Yassin IG)
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘I was not arrested': Malaysian comedian Saiful Apek comments on viral photo
Malaysian comedian and actor Saiful Apek explained that two police officers broke up a dispute between him and an unknown individual. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PETALING JAYA – Malaysian comedian and actor Saiful Apek has commented on a photo that showed him with the police, which went viral on April 29. An entertainment portal reported earlier that a comedian dressed in a pink baju Melayu resembling Saiful was allegedly detained by two police officers. The actual location and cause of the incident could not be confirmed. Saiful , whose real name is Saiful Azam Mohamed Yusoff, told Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian he was not detained by the authorities. What happened was that two police officers broke up a dispute between him and an unknown individual. The 55-year-old said the incident occurred while he was at an event hosted by Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, in Cheras on April 28. 'After performing and promoting the film 6 Jilake, an unknown person suddenly appeared and provoked me about the film,' Saiful said. 'I thought he was joking initially, but I lost patience after a while.' Saiful, one of the stars of the movie, said he stood up and left to prevent the situation from escalating. 'I thought it was over then, but when I went to the carpark, the individual continued to provoke me until the police intervened to break up our dispute,' he said. Saiful added that what upset him most was that the man was insulting 6 Jilake (2025) director Aziz M. Osman. 'What really bothered me was when he mentioned abang Aziz and called the film rubbish,' Saiful said. 'If it was just my name, I could control my emotions, but this involved someone I consider a mentor.' The member of comedy group Senario also apologised to his family and friends who may have been affected by the situation. 'I hope everyone is clear with this statement and I ask everyone to stay calm, especially family and close friends who were shocked by what happened,' he said. 'What worried me most was when many contacted the members of Senario, especially Azlee, whom we know has a heart condition,' he said, referring to comedian Azlee Jaafar. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
