Afdlin Shauki

Afdlin Shauki
افضلين شوقي
Afdlin presenting the 16th Anugerah Industri Muzik in 2009
Born
Afdlin Shauki bin Aksan

(1971-05-19) 19 May 1971
NationalityMalaysian
Other namesChief Kodok, Alf
Occupation(s)Actor, film director, singer, songwriter, television presenter, comedian, politician
Years active1989–present
Political partyPeople's Justice Party (PKR)
(2021–present)
Other political
affiliations
Pakatan Harapan (PH)
(2021–present)
Spouses
Datin Maria Christina Orow Abdullah
(m. 1997; div. 2022)
    Datin Marcella
    (m. 2023)
    Children3
    Parents
    • Aksan Abu Bakar (father)
    • Fadzilah Jelani (mother)

    Afdlin Shauki bin Aksan (born 19 May 1971) is a Malaysian producer, screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, singer, songwriter,television presenter and politician.

    Career

    Entertainment and media

    Music

    A singer, musician and live performer Afdlin, together with his band Acid Iz, presents a flavour of R&B, acid jazz and funk. His debut album FUUYO! was released in late 2003. In 1992, he performed for an audience of 50,000 in the 'Ikhlas Concert' alongside Zainal Abidin and Sheila Majid among others. He has performed in one of the most respected jazz clubs in Europe such as Ronnie Scott's, as an opening act for Sheila Majid for her 1996 UK Tour. He also made a guest appearance with David Foster's protege Jordan Hill for her 1997 Malaysian tour singing 'Till the end of time'.

    He won the Best Ethnic Pop song category at the Anugerah Juara Lagu ke-19 in 2005 for a song he wrote for Dayang Nurfaizah called 'Erti Hidup'.

    Television

    Afdlin has been working as an actor, director and TV presenter. Afdlin received the award for Best Presenter in an Entertainment Programme during the prestigious 1999 Asian Television Awards for his role as the host on the late night talk show Bila Larut Malam on Astro. He has hosted the illustrious for six years running, as well as game shows, sports, music and lifestyle programmes.

    Film

    As a film actor, his local debut was as part of the supporting cast for Pesona Pictures' Mimpi Moon, which was followed by his role as the "Interpreter" in the Hollywood movie "Anna and the King". He played his first romantic lead in Serangkai Filem's Soal Hati, and was honoured with a Best Actor award for his portrayal of "Daniel" at the Anugerah Skrin Panca Delima Awards, 2000. He has since filmed "Soalnya Siapa?", a continuation of the story.

    Afdlin has been involved in various direct-to-VCD projects, the latest being "Kelibat", a profit-sharing venture between the actors involved and Vision Works. For this project, Afdlin wrote, directed and acted simultaneously and the work was released in April 2004.

    His screen debut as a writer and director, as well as lead actor, manifested in Buli a Grand Brilliance produced film about a technical savant and social misfit in a corporate and highly socialised world. He was awarded Most Promising New Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Story in the 2005 Malaysian Film Festival for this work. In the same year he was awarded for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Anugerah Skrin organized by TV3. An eventual sequel, "Buli Balik", was awarded Best Director, Best Original Story and Best Film Awards at the 2006 Malaysian Film Festival and also the Best Director and Best Screenplay Awards at the Anugerah Skrin (TV3) awards of the same year.

    Other movies since then include Gila-Gila Pengantin Remaja, Pontianak, Biar Betul and Baik Punya Cilok (which received the Film Goer's Choice Award at the Anugerah Skrin Era Awards of 2006).

    In 2007 he produced, co-directed and co-wrote Sumolah under his company Vision Works, which was invited to show at the Fukuoka International Film Festival. He also produced, directed and wrote "Los Dan Faun" under the same company. He played main and supportive roles in both films.

    In 2009, Afdlin produced the film Papadom, a story about a distracted, busy father who loses his wife in an accident, and ends up becoming over-protective of his only daughter. This bittersweet comedy drama garnered multiple awards at the 22nd Malaysian Film Festival on the same year for the categories of Best Original Story, Best Actor, Best Film, as well as Best Music Score for Film. Afdlin and his co-star Liyana Jasmay also won the Couple With Best Chemistry in the 2010 Shout Awards organized by 8TV. "Papadom" was in competition in the Asia Pacific International Film Festival held in Taiwan in December 2009. The film also competed in the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2010 in the International Competition and received 3rd place out of 12 movies taking part in the Audience Choice Award. "Papadom" was re-made as a Tamil version for the Malaysian Tamil audience and was released in November 2010.

    Politics

    Afdlin Shauki joined the People's Justice Party (PKR) in March 2021 alongside rapper Altimet.[1] He had previously joined UMNO in 2012, supporting the Barisan Nasional (BN) government under Najib Razak.[2] In 2022, Afdlin contested the Setiawangsa PKR division chief position, challenging incumbent Nik Nazmi. Despite a "healthy contest" welcomed by Nik Nazmi, Afdlin lost by 110 votes.[3][4] Following the election, he lodged a police report, alleging voting irregularities, including missing ballot papers and conflicts of interest among election officers.[5]

    In April 2025, Afdlin Shauki contested the Setiawangsa PKR division chief position again and won, defeating incumbent Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad with 631 votes against 563.[6][7] This victory marked a reversal of his defeat in 2022. Nik Nazmi, who also served as a PKR vice president and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, was unable to retain his position despite his experience and political profile.[8]

    Following his victory, Afdlin's leadership became a topic of public discussion after PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli referred to him as a "professional comedian." In response, Afdlin emphasized his commitment to PKR and defended his background in the arts, asserting that diverse professional experiences should not constitute a barrier to political leadership.[9] He further stated that he joined PKR during a challenging period following the Sheraton Move, when the party experienced significant setbacks, rather than waiting for opportunities when the party was in power.[10]

    Filmography

    Film

    Year Title Credited as Role Notes
    Actor Director Screenwriter
    1999 Anna and the King Interpreter Hollywood debut film
    2000 Mimpi Moon Sook Van
    Soal Hati Ahmad Daniel
    2002 Gerak Khas The Movie II Wahid
    Soalnya Siapa? Ahmad Daniel
    2003 City Sharks Zul Singaporean movie
    2004 Buli Nordin
    Gila-Gila Pengantin Remaja Bakar
    Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam Admiral Madura
    Biar Betul Fuad
    Kelibat Selamat As producer, Direct-to-VCD
    2005 Gila-Gila Pengantin Popular Awin
    Baik Punya Cilok Aben As producer
    2006 Buli Balik Nordin As producer
    Diva Popular Jojo
    2007 Sumolah Ramlee As executive producer
    Brave Tong Thai movie
    2008 Cuci Fairil
    Sepi Adam
    Los dan Faun[11] Soffarudin Al Sogood As executive producer
    2009 Setem Joe
    Papadom Saadom
    Pisau Cukur Ship Captain
    My Spy
    2010 Kapoww! Din Abu
    2011 Homecoming Taxi driver Singaporean movie
    Help! My Girlfriend Is A Vampire Don
    Nasi Lemak 2.0 Fisherman
    Vote! Video short
    Old Road Mistery Harak
    Appalam Hassan Movie itself is a Tamil remake of Papadom
    2012 Azura Tan Sri Putih
    Untuk Tiga Hari Armi
    Berani Punya Budak Shuhaimi Abdullah / Tong As executive producer
    Pontianak vs Orang Minyak Pak Rejab
    2013 Husin, Mon dan Jin Pakai Toncit Wahab B.
    Lawak ke der? 2 Boboi
    Ops Kossa Dappa 3 Tamil movie
    Lemak Kampung Santan
    Bola Kampung: The Movie Sabok Voice only
    Papadom 2 Saadom As executive producer
    2014 Kami Histeria Himself
    2018 The Big Day Inspector Rashid Singaporean movie, special appearance
    2019 Bikers Kental 2 Aidid
    2022 Cikgu VS Hantu Cikgu Daud
    2023 Imaginur Dr Ramli
    Polis Evo 3 Kassim
    2024 Harimau Malaya: The Untold Journey Roslan
    Baik Punya Ah Long Lan Panda

    Television

    Year Title Role TV channel Notes
    1989 Senandung Irama TV1
    1998 Kopitiam Pete Ramlee NTV7 1 episodes
    1999–2000 Bila Larut Malam Host Astro Ria
    2002–2005 Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd Bobo Mediacorp Channel 5 15 episodes
    2004–2005 Ah-Ha TV3
    2004–2007 Show Me The Money NTV7
    2015 Bola Kampung Sabok (voice) TV1
    2008 Babak Empat Madu Tiga Jamil Astro Prima A part of a telemovie anthology
    Orang Minyak Naik Minyak Telemovie
    2009 Spontan Himself (host) Astro Warna
    Mandi Himself (guest)
    2009–2010 Redah Kasi Pecah Himself (guest)
    2010–2011 Raja Lawak Astro Himself (permanent judge) Astro Prima Comedy talent show
    Oh Yeah Astro Warna
    2012 Upin & Ipin (Season 6) Himself (voice) TV9 Episode: "Raja Buah"
    2013–2014 Liga Lawak Superstar Host TV3 with Adibah Noor
    2013–2015 Bintang Mencari Bintang
    2014 Nostalgila Pakcik Astro First Exclusive Telemovie
    2017 Konsert Komedi Himself - Week 5 (Baik Punya Cilok) Astro Warna
    Bas Stop Himself
    Kasut Bola Pink Prof. Tipu Astro First Exclusive Telemovie
    2019 Emma Sofea: All in the Family Norman James D'Cruz Disney Channel TV short
    Wizards of Warna Walk 14 episodes
    2020 Warung Wak Wak Zamzam Awesome TV
    2022 Bini-Bini Lockdown Azim TV3 Telemovie
    AI.5YA Dato Soffaruddin Al Sogud Viu As director, screenwriter and executive producer
    2023 Mega Spontan Game Master Astro Warna

    Stage

    Year Title Role Notes
    2004 Actorlympics
    2005 Why you still fat?
    2009 Cuci Fairil Based on the 2008 film Cuci

    Discography

    Fuuyo! (2003)

      • Aku Lelaki
      • Miasara (As OST in Papadom)
      • Gadis Pilihan Ibu
      • Percaya (As OST in Buli and Buli Balik)
      • Waras (As OST in Buli)
      • Tiada Lagi
      • Tuan Dan Hamba
      • Bukan Cinta (As OST in Los Dan Faun)
      • Sampai Bila
      • Am I Too Late
      • Mangsa Keadaan
      • Disco Dancer
      • Ku Tak Mahu
      • Hingga Ke Akhirnya
      • Reprise

    Others

    • Soalnya Hati (duet with Erra Fazira)
    • Diva Bermimpi (Themesong of Diva Popular – with Umie Aida, Sheila Rusly & Ezzlynn)
    • Baik Punya Cilok (As themesong of Baik Punya Cilok)
    • Tanya (As Soundtrack of Sumolah)

    Accolades

    Year Award Category Title Result
    2001 Malaysia Film Festival Best Actor Soal Hati Won
    2004 Malaysia Film Festival Most Promising Director Buli Won
    Best Original Story Buli Won
    Best Screenplay Buli Won
    Best Actor Buli Nominated
    2006 Malaysia Film Festival Best Actor Buli Balik Won
    Best Original Story Baik Punya Cilok Won
    Best Original Theme Song Baik Punya Cilok Nominated
    Best Screenplay Baik Punya Cilok Nominated
    Best Music Score Baik Punya Cilok Nominated
    Best Film Director Buli Balik Nominated
    2007 Malaysia Film Festival Best Original Theme Song "Pacai" from Sumolah Nominated
    Best Editor Sumolah (alongside Faizul Mohd Noh) Nominated
    Best Actor Sumolah Nominated
    Best Film Director Sumolah Nominated
    Best Screenplay Sumolah Nominated
    2009 Malaysia Film Festival Best Actor Papadom Won
    Best Original Story Papadom Won
    Best Film Director Papadom Nominated
    2010 Osaka Asian Film Festival 3rd out of 12 Audience Award Papadom Won

    Others

    Personal life

    Afdlin Shauki was born and grew up in Johor Bahru, Johor. He is an eldest child among 10 siblings in his family to his parents, Fadzilah Jelani (died 2018)[12] and Aksan Abu Bakar (died 2020).[13]

    Honour

    References

    1. ^ "Afdlin Shauki, Altimet join PKR". Bernama. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
    2. ^ "Actor-comedian Afdlin Shauki joins PKR". Free Malaysia Today. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
    3. ^ "Afdlin Shauki to challenge Nik Nazmi to lead Setiawangsa PKR". 13 April 2022.
    4. ^ "Wilayah Setiawangsa – Pemilihan Keadilan 2022".
    5. ^ "PKR hopeful Afdlin Shauki lodges police report against party's election committees over alleged fraud". The Star. 7 June 2022.
    6. ^ "Nik Nazmi tewas kepada Afdlin" [Nik Nazmi loses to Afdlin]. Sinar Harian (in Malay). 19 April 2025.
    7. ^ "Pemilihan PKR: Nik Nazmi tewas kepada Afdlin Shauki" [PKR election: Nik Nazmi loses to Afdlin Shauki]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 19 April 2025.
    8. ^ "PKR sahkan Nik Nazmi, Akmal, Chean Chung kalah pada pemilihan Cabang" [PKR confirms Nik Nazmi, Akmal, Chean Chung lost in division elections]. Malaysia Gazette (in Malay). 5 May 2025.
    9. ^ "Nothing wrong with being professional comedian, Afdlin hits back at Rafizi". Malaysiakini. 13 May 2025.
    10. ^ "Jangan perlekeh ahli bukan dari kilang politik sama, Afdlin beritahu Rafizi" [Do not belittle members not from the same political background, Afdlin tells Rafizi]. Free Malaysia Today (in Malay). 13 May 2025.
    11. ^ "Los Dan Faun: A Production Diary". losdanfaun.blogspot.com. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
    12. ^ Georgie Joseph (16 October 2018). "Ibu Afdlin Shauki meninggal dunia". Harian Metro. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
    13. ^ Georgie Joseph (11 August 2020). "Bapa Afdlin Shauki meninggal dunia". Harian Metro. Retrieved 22 September 2020.