KUALA LUMPUR: Action hero Sharnaaz Ahmad believes a single person should not ruin the friendship between Malaysian and Indonesian artistes.
Speaking in a news report yesterday, the Blood Brother star said: "Let's not let one person cause a rift between me and my fellow artistes."
Sharnaaz made the statement following recent unwelcome remarks by Indonesian actor Boy Hamzah on social media.
Boy sparked controversy after commenting on a Malaysian boycott of an Indonesian men's grooming brand.
In a short video, he made provocative claims about history—even insisting that Malaysia would not exist without Indonesia—and linked the issue to football.
Netizens quickly corrected him on his historical facts and pointed out that the brand's own managers had insulted Malaysia first.
Boy's comments angered many Malaysians, prompting calls to boycott Indonesian products.
Dismayed by the feud, Sharnaaz urged social media users from both countries to stop wasting their time on useless arguments.
"Look, I really didn't want to make a video about this, but I feel things have gone too far. First, I saw a video of this Indonesian actor talking about our history. He was trying to teach us about our own history," Sharnaaz said in an Instagram post.
While he views Boy's comments as just one person's opinion, Sharnaaz does not want people to keep pointing fingers and making things worse.
He reminded everyone that a simple disagreement shouldn't destroy long-standing bonds, especially within the creative industries of both countries, and advised the Indonesian actor to be more careful with his words.
"Don't let things like this ruin our relationships, because the Malaysian industry is part of the wider Nusantara industry—encompassing Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Indonesia," he said.
Sharnaaz feels the entertainment industry shouldn't be dragged down by intense nationalism that damages professional ties and friendships across borders.
Instead, he believes working together gives both nations a great chance to grow the regional arts scene and share their cultures.
"Imagine if Malaysia and Indonesia united; it would be even better and more enjoyable. We could communicate well and share our cultures, rather than fighting like this," he said.
He urged social media users not to let anger take over or respond to every comment with insults and attacks. Constant bickering will only make matters worse, whereas Malaysia and Indonesia share a lot in common that should be celebrated.
He added that while every country has its strengths and weaknesses, people should accept these differences rather than use them as an excuse to fight.
"Let's move past this. Everyone has their good and bad sides. Embrace the imperfections, but don't push boundaries—there is a limit to everything," he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd