KUALA LUMPUR: After more than three decades of keeping silent, legendary star Datuk Sarimah Ahmad, 82, finally spoke out about an incident that still brings tears to her eyes.
Despite having difficulty in sharing the memory, considering it was the hard work of both herself and her late husband, the famous actor Allahyarham Yusof Majid, Sarimah felt compelled to speak up.
The Studio Jalan Ampas film star from Singapore alleged that four original tapes of films produced by her company, Sarimah Film Productions, were stolen by a well-known individual.
"Together with another friend, he took all four films that I had produced. The films are Detik 12 Malam, Jejak Bertapak, Dia Ibuku, and Kabus Tengahari. They met me just after Allahyarham Yusof Majid passed away.
I don't know what the original agreement between the deceased and the individual was because I wasn't informed.
That individual asked me to sign a document. He took advantage while my mind was in turmoil," she told BH Online.
As the absolute owner of the films, the film star, who was introduced through the character Marjina in the film Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, hoped that the individual would fulfil the promise to return her work.
"This incident happened 36 years ago, and during that time, this film has been broadcasted on television many times. If we consider the royalties received, the alleged debt would surely have been paid off. There was a point where I didn't want to watch this film whenever it was broadcasted because it made me sad. He promised to return the films. So, where are those promises?" she said emotionally.
In connection to this, the Malay Film Primadona also hoped that the Ministry of Communication could help her retrieve her films.
"All these films are very meaningful to me because they are the result of my hard work throughout my career in the arts. I hope Minister of Communication, Fahmi Fadzil, can help me regain my rights before I close my eyes," she expressed.
Despite facing the turmoil, the woman born in Sungai Rusa, Pekan, Pahang, has no regrets about being an artist.
"I never regret what happened. The art industry is never at fault, but it's the people within the industry who tarnish it," she said when met during the Ziarah Madani program with the Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, at her residence in Subang Jaya, Selangor, yesterday.
During the event, Ahmad Farhan spent half an hour exchanging pleasantries and conversing warmly with the actress.