KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Datuk Adi Putra does not agree with creating unnecessary conflict between Malaysia and Singapore by raising the nationality issue following the escalating controversy sparked by Singaporean actor and singer, Aliff Aziz.
The 43-year-old Singapore-born artiste said that this was to avoid the formation of a class system that divides those who participate in the local creative and arts industries.
"We don't want to inculcate a caste sentiment in the local film industry. As an actor, I don't want to tarnish the image of the entertainment industry.
"Regarding the issue of these two countries, it could trigger an unwanted caste system. Hopefully, these castes will not exist for the sake of the image of the country.
"For me, it is inappropriate to touch on the issue of the two countries, Malaysia and Singapore. If you look back at the history of the life of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, who started in Singapore and returned to Merdeka Studio, it is the same with these two countries.
"But in the real world, we are working. So, how to avoid controversy and foster a principle of mutual respect," he said in a Harian Metro report today.
Adi was met at the screening of the final episode of the TV3 drama series Lelaki Itu with the cast in a restaurant, here last night.
The Mat Kilau star added that as a celebrity who earns a living in a different land, he is already immune to tirades and is calm in facing the matter.
"Tirades are common and would exist everywhere. The way to overcome them is by just letting it enter the left ear and exit through the right ear," he said.
Meanwhile, Adi thinks the government needs to create a new law to solve the issue involving problematic artistes, in addition to curbing the problem of the mushrooming of associations.
"I think we have to create a law because we started with a small number of associations, but then many more associations have since sprouted.
"However, there needs to be clarification as to whether these associations come under one roof. If not, there would be confusion on whether these associations are bound by an act with the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) or the Ministry of Communications.
"So, this matter also needs to be clarified in the Dewan Negara," he said.