Filed under: Astro Awani, internet, journalism, new media, press, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, allah, astro awani, barisan nasional, BN, fat bidin, hindu, india, indian, islam, journalism, malay, malaysia, multiculturalism, muslim, new media, news, pluralism, religion, ridhuan, ridhuan tee, taliban, umno, vishwaroopam, zan azlee
Moderate Muslim my foot!
By Zan Azlee
KUALA LUMPUR: Wasatiyyah – an ‘Islamic’ term that I have heard over and over again. I’ve heard it in Malaysia. I’ve heard it in the Middle-East. I’ve heard it in the West. I’ve heard it, well, everywhere.
It’s a simple term with a simple definition. It basically just means moderation. Moderation in everything that we do in life so that there is a balance. Islam condones it.
So here I shall reveal my life mission of bringing down and stopping Ridhuan Tee Abdullah from ever writing anything hate-filled against people of different faiths other than his.
What religion is he? He is a Muslim and practices the Islamic faith, the same faith that I was born into and have decided upon reaching adulthood to stick with.
There have been numerous articles that he has written which has disgusted me on so many levels that I even wonder why he keeps getting published. [Click to read the full article at English.AstroAwani.com]
Filed under: Afghanistan, Arab Spring, book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN: The Adventures of a KL-ite, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, press | Tags: 360 celcius, afghanistan, conflict, cover, documentary, fat bidin, interview, journalism, magazine, media, new media, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, war, zan azlee
“Yeah pops… I’ve been on the cover of magazines too!”
I’m on the cover of the Dec-Jan 2013 issue of 360 Celcius magazine! You’ve never heard of the magazine, you say? Well, neither have I, until recently! Hahaha! This is like the upteenth time I’ve been on the cover of a magazine/newspaper over the years. I wonder what is with the obsession they have with good-looking guys like me! Muahaha! (Click on the images above to read the article)
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, press | Tags: 114A, censorship, journalism, malaysia, media, new media
Filed under: directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, photo essay, press, The Malaysian Insider, video blog, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, ambiga, anwar, bersih, city, conflict, demo, documentary, fat bidin, interview, islam, journalism, keadian, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, new media, news, pakatan rakyat, police brutality, rally, riot, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, violence, web video, zan azlee
Violence against Malaysia
By Zan Azlee
MAY 4 — I waited for almost a week before actually writing or posting anything much about the recent Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur. There were so many emotions, I wanted to make sure that I was calm and coherent before actually commenting on it. And now that everything seems ever so slightly clearer to me, the one thing that affected me most that Saturday was the violence that occurred.
The day had started early for me and walking all around the city, I felt the almost party-like atmosphere amongst all the Malaysians that had gathered. Dataran Merdeka, of course, had a heavy police presence. It was cordoned off with metal fencing and even scary-looking barbed wire. But, as I mentioned, the atmosphere was very festive and I guess the intimidation wasn’t working that well.
When the rally was in full force, I was standing alongside the leaders as they were giving their speeches and encouraging the people to sing. Once everyone was as close to Dataran Merdeka as possible, I heard the leaders declaring the rally a success and calling for the crowd to disperse. The crowd didn’t disperse and I made my way behind the barricade and police line with the help of my press tag. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Click on the thumbnails below to launch the photo essay.
Athena Azlee’s first magazine cover shoot and story!! (Mami & Baby, January 2012 – Click on the images to read the article… or don’t be a stinge and just go buy a copy!)
Filed under: Afghanistan, book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, press | Tags: august man, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, interview, journalism, magazine, man of the year, media, new media, news, solo journalism, video journalism, war, war journalist, war reporter, zan azlee
An interview with the awesome ME in August Man magazine (December 2011)!
Filed under: Afghanistan, book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, press | Tags: 2011, clive, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, interview, journalism, magazine, man of the year, media, new media, news, solo journalism, video journalism, war, war journalist, war reporter, zan azlee
My biggest achievement this year has been co-producing my little daughter Athena Azlee. Somehow Clive magazine just wanted to talk about my journalism… but I’ll take it anyway!! Woohoo!! Go get the December 2011 issue so you can hang my picture in your bathroom!
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, internet, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press, video blog | Tags: bernama, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, the breakfast club, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
The Breakfast Club video clip is courtesy of BERNAMA TV.
I was on BERNAMA TV’s The Breakfast Club a few weeks ago (18th October 2011) to promote my book and DVD ‘OPERATION NASI KERABU: FINDING PATANI IN AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘. Holy crap I’m so sexy! It’s no wonder I have a legion of fans! (Please like my Facebook Page… PLEASE!!!)
Of course… the book can be found at any major bookstore at RM25 (a free DVD of my documentary comes with every purchase). And if you’re interested to purchase it online, head on to the FATBIDIN e-STORE! There are other FAT BIDIN documentaries for sale too!
Filed under: broadcast, documentary, film, I'm Muslim Too!, internet, press | Tags: 1malaysia, aidilfitri, azlee, documentary, film, hari raya, interview, jasmine. athena, journalism, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, media, merdeka, press, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, the star, zan azlee
It’s Hari Raya and Merdeka!! And Athena handles her first interview and photoshoot with The Star very well indeed! (Click on the image below to read the article)
Happy Hari Raya and Merdeka everyone!
Filed under: documentary, internet, journalism, new media, press, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: 1malaysia, ambiga sreevesanan, bersih, city, DAP, demonstration, documentary, fat bidin, fru, interview, islam, journalism, Keadilan, khairy jamaludidin, kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, new media, news, pakatan rakyat, PKR, police, protest, rally, smoke bomb, solo journalism, tear gas, The Malaysian Insider, umno, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
And this week, my column deals with… what else… BERSIH 2.0!
Why did the police do what they did?
By Zan Azlee
JULY 15 — The tough policeman with the huge muscles grabbed me by my shoulders and flung me towards the sidewalk not caring that I had a press tag around my neck. I struggled to keep my balance and not drop my camera. I barely managed to not trip over the curb.
“Halau cameraman itu! (Get rid of that cameraman!)” screamed the policeman’s other colleagues.
My crime? I was shooting a bunch of arrested demonstrators being led out of Tung Shin Hospital and through a police line. The detainees had their hands “cuffed” and looked pretty much subdued. However, as they were led through the line, they were kicked and punched by the police.
I was on assignment for The Malaysian Insider to gather video footage of the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9. But I couldn’t get enough footage of that incident since I ended up behind police lines along with other members of the media, cordoned off from what was happening. [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
Click here to see the rest of my coverage of BERSIH 2.0 (includes photos and video).
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, e-store, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, internet, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press | Tags: bfm, conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, radio, solo journalism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
I forgive those of you who missed me live on BFM 89.9 Evening Edition talking about my book and film ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu: Finding Patani in an Islamic Insurgency‘ yesterday evening. I know you all tried your best. But fret not! The show is available for streaming or download so you can take it with you everywhere! Go listen now!
And just as a reminder to everyone, the book is available at all major bookstores for RM25… and you get a free DVD too! Or you can also purchase it online at the FATBIDIN E-STORE! Proceeds will go to buying my daughter milk and diapers.
Filed under: directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, press, The Malaysian Insider, video blog | Tags: 1malaysia, ambiga sreevesanan, bersih, city, DAP, demonstration, documentary, fat bidin, fru, interview, islam, journalism, Keadilan, khairy jamaludidin, kuala lumpur, liew seng tat, malay, malaysia, media, new media, news, pakatan rakyat, PKR, police, protest, rally, smoke bomb, solo journalism, tear gas, The Malaysian Insider, umno, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
It was a proud day to be a Malaysian. And I was on assignment for The Malaysian Insider… shooting a video package of the event (the above video is the result). I was suppose to meet and interview Khairy Jamaluddin (UMNO Youth Chief), but he got arrested as soon as he step foot into Bukit Bintang (but his group numbers were too few and they marched too short a distance to have any relevance on that day! Sorry KJ!). I was also suppose to meet Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (Chair of BERSIH 2.0), but she was arrested too soon as well (her group, on the other hand, rocked KL!). I was also stuck at the Masjid Jamek and Pudu stretch and could not go anywhere else, so most (all!) of my coverage is from that area.
My former student, Isabelle Lai, is now a journalist for The Star! How proud I am! Muahaha!
Empty streets… before the rise of the Malaysians!
I love my job!
The police were all ready from the night before… and they look set for some arresting!
McDonald’s taking care of their customers!
The crowd was definitely more than 10,000 strong just in Pudu alone.
But they never made it to Stadium Merdeka. Chemical-laced water and tear gas made sure of that. But rest assured… the crowd’s voice has been heard!
Linus and I just got smoke-bombed!
Albert/Malek and I had to finally sit down to recuperate from the tear gas.
Woooo!! Scary men!
I saw some violent arrests being made on non-violent civilians. My buddy, film director Liew Seng Tat, got arrested and he said he was kicked and even hit after he was cuffed. If you watch my video above, you can see him briefly in the background being led away by police… and also more violent arrests on others. He also said he had a great time in prison and enjoyed dropping the soap at every opportunity he had! Hahaha!
People running away from the tear gas.
Dr Sivarasa Rasiah (PKR) and Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP) tried to negotiate with the police to allow them to march peacefully.
Their negotiations failed and they were arrested!
The line of riot police were there… and they cordoned off the media behind it. How the hell were we suppose to do our jobs? I managed to sneak up and do some shooting up ahead. I saw cuffed detainees who were being led away. And as they were being led away, they had to go through a line of FRU police, and through that line, they were kicked and punched even though they were cuffed. I didn’t get to shoot that long as one policeman grabbed me and chucked me aside (you can see it in my video above… you can even hear the police screaming “halau cameraman!”) and told me to go away or else.
Nevertheless, the crowd was massive and loud. I was proud to play my part in democracy.
Malaysiakini.TV caught me on video running like a little bitch! But in defence of my macho-ness… the police were firing in my direction!
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, new media, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, the star, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
An old Kelab Seni Filem buddy who works at The Star wrote a nice article about me and ‘Operation Nasi Kerabu‘. Allan Koay is not a bad writer at all! But it definitely helps when you have an interesting character to write about huh? Muahahaha!! You can click on the image above or here to read the article.
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, DVD, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, journalism, Operation Nasi Kerabu, press, print, video blog, writing | Tags: conflict, documentary, fat bidin, film, finding patani in an islamic insurgency, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, journalism, krue se mosque, kuala lumpur, malay, malay mail, malaysia, muslim, ntv7, operation nasi kerabu, patani, pattani, solo journalism, thailand, the breakfast show, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, war, zan azlee, zi publications
After the official launch, the promotion of my book and DVD ‘OPERATION NASI KERABU: FINDING PATANI IN AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘ has been going along quite well. How can it not when you have such a sexy ass guy behind it (ME of course!). Last week, I was on ntv7′s The Breakfast Show along with Tuwaedaniya Meringing, the main character of my book and film who so graciously flew down to Kuala Lumpur from Thailand to help me with my promotion campaign. (The clip below is courtesy of ntv7 and Primeworks Studios)
And a few days ago, The Malay Mail wrote a decent review of my book, which you can read online here.
The book can be found at any major book store at the price of RM25 (and this includes a free DVD of my documentary film ‘THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘!). You can also buy it online at FATBIDIN.COM/STORE/. So please buy the book people! I need to feed my four month old daughter! She’s been crying for milk for a long time now!
Filed under: press
Clive magazine has a short write-up on me in their June 2011 issue. Goddamn I’m so cool!! So go out and get your issue today!
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, press | Tags: fat bidin, jasmine abu bakar, media, the star, zan azlee
Fat Bidin is in da house (excuse the pun!)!! Check out Star Property today to read an article about Jasmine and me and our multimillion dollar home!!
Filed under: directing, documentary, film, film festival, internet, journalism, lecture, new media, press, The Malaysian Insider | Tags: directing, documentary, economic, fat bidin, film, film festival, forum, islamic, lecture, marketplace of creative arts, musa hitam, otam, singapore, solo journalism, video blog | Tags: asian civilisations museum, video journalism, web video, wief, world, world islamic economic forum, zan azlee
And so you all knew I went to the WIEF’s Marketplace of Creative Arts in Singapore on the 19th of February 2011. Below are some pictures and videos along with an article I wrote for The Malaysian Insider.
When creative minds get together
By Zan Azlee
MARCH 4 – Filmmaking to me is almost like a solitary process. Being a solo-journalist, I write, shoot, edit and do everything as a one-man crew. To me, it’s almost like writing or painting, whereby the writer or artist produces artwork in solitude, almost like meditation. I enjoy the process very much as it gives me total control of my work. It is also a form of discovery for me – about the subjects of my films and also about myself.
However, sometimes being in solitude doesn’t do much good for the creative soul. To be a creative artist, one needs to sometimes interact with like minded souls. So, when I was invited to the World Islamic Economic Forum’s Marketplace of Creative Arts in Singapore (held for the second year), I jumped at the chance. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Tun Musa Hitam (Chairman of WIEF Foundation) does his best Facebook pose!
Some panel discussion going on.
This was the panel discussion to be at since I was a part of this one! Topic: All the World is a Stage- Role of Education & Information in Propagating Appreciation of the Arts
Me, Sirajuddin (one of the Singaporean organisers) and Yosep Anggi (a filmmaker from Jogjakarta)
Of all people to bump into... I bumped into Amanda.... We acted together once in a film called 'Benda Aneh Bernama Cinta', directed by Azharr Rudin.
Click here to watch the trailer of ‘Benda Aneh Bernama Cinta’.
The whole lot
I had to indulge an adoring fan!
And a video of Otam during rehearsals.
Filed under: internet, journalism, new media, press, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: censorship, fat bidin, hishammuddin, internet, journalism, kuala lumpur, mahathir mohamad, mahmood adam, malaysia, media, new media, news, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
And so we might be the next Egypt or China. Isn’t that cool?
The PPPA amendment – premature reaction?
By Zan Azlee
JAN 28 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein recently said people should not jump to conclusions about the intention to amend the country’s press laws. According to our beloved home minister, it’s just a proposal and no final decisions nor details have even been brought up yet so don’t react prematurely.
Of course, we all know that this apparent “premature” reaction was caused by his secretary-general, Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam. What did he do? He said that the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) should expand its scope to include “publications” online and blogs.
Now according to the PPPA, all media outlets are required to renew their publishing and printing permits annually. New Media never had to deal with that because in 1995, our then prime minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, pledged that Malaysia would never censor the Internet. [Click to read the rest of the article at The Malaysian Insider]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, press | Tags: bfm, documentary, fat bidin, film, filmmaking, in conversation, journalism, radio, writing, zan azlee
For those of you who are contemplating suicide because you missed my interview on the BFM show ‘In Conversation’… UNTIE THAT NOOSE!! Life is still worth living because you can stream or download it right HERE!!
Filed under: book, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, lecture, new media, press, The Malaysian Insider, writing | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, film, journalism, lecture, media, The Malaysian Insider, university, zan azlee
And the ultimate syok sendiri session comes to an end with part 2 of my article this week!
So you want to be a documentary filmmaker and journalist (Part 2)
By Zan Azlee
NOV 26 — Being a university lecturer for the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and interact with a lot of young people who want to do what I do for a living. The thing about being with them is that it always gives me a positive feeling about myself. Selfish, I know!
But seeing their enthusiasm for life and their fire to pursue their ambition just reinforces the reason why I do what I do. So this two-part article will be my way of giving back to them. Hopefully, it will inspire them (or at least make them question if this is really what they want to do!).
…………….
With the money I made from that sale, I decided to make another feature-length documentary. This time, I decided to go a bit further. I titled the film “I’m Muslim Too!” and went to four countries in the Middle East (Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan) to see how young people lived their lives in their respective countries. The film was also shot solo-journalism style.
I went to Iran and interviewed a heavy metal band called Arsames. Then I headed to Syria to search for the Hezbollah video game Special Force, and to Jordan to visit the annual Jerash Arts Festival. I also went to Beirut in Lebanon to experience a little bit of war and to see how Palestinian refugee kids spend their days.
Being from Malaysia, I had never experienced war and in my mind, I might have romanticised it a bit. When I got in to Lebanon, there were military checkpoints lining every street. Tanks and soldiers were everywhere. Turn on the television and you would see “live” coverage of bombings, shootings and fighting just 20 kilometres from the city. It was terrible and it scared me.
“Hey! Answer my question! Who are you!”
And I was jolted back to reality… [Click to read the full article at The Malaysian Insider]
