The veteran actor/comedian thinks he’s old, but he can still do a mean vogue (if you ask nicely). Alexis Ong does the persuading 

What have you been up to lately?
Right now we are finishing a programme called Kpak Bing Bing! [a TV show about marriage on Malay language channel Suria]. It’s very strange, because they commissioned someone who is not married [me] to go through marriage counselling for 12 weeks, read all kinds of books, like marriage books – you know, how to be a good husband…actually, I can be a marriage counsellor already! 

Wait, Kpak Bing Bing!? What’s with the name? 
It’s the sound of the drum. Like, in the Chinese drum, we will say ‘doom-doom chang!’ (because it goes ‘doom-doom chang!’), so the Malays go ‘k’pak bing bing!’ When we were young, we never say, ‘Eh, the Malay wedding ceremony is on the way!’ No. [Laughs.] We just say, ‘Eh, k’pak bing bing!’ or ‘K’doom-doom chang!’

Makes sense. So, you’ve been around forever (we mean that in a good way). Can you eat at a hawker without being recognised? 
Ooh. Actually, I call myself a ‘common’ celebrity because I don’t drive. I take the MRT, I take cabs, and sometimes I take the bus. And it’s nice, being a common celebrity. People always meet me…the Malay makcik [auntie] who sells nasi padang will come and talk to me. It is interesting, because they are my inspiration; why I do the programme is because of my community. I am what I am because of them. 

I’ve read that your two main passions are the Malay community and the youth. Better than shoeshopping and roti prata. 
Yeah. In the past, you know, ten years, you just realise you cannot be any more famous, or popular, or have any more money – you just give it back to society. 

I also hear you’re heading up ‘Relax One Corner’ at the Mosaic Music Festival. 
I love ‘Relax One Corner’. I did ‘Relax One Corner’ last year...The idea was to relax, [let the Mosaic performers] relax before [their shows], and talk about Singapore. I want to ask George Clinton, or Earth, Wind & Fire… let them listen to Singapore songs, like Dick Lee or ‘Why You So Like That?’ [and ask], ‘Do you think that’s English? Yeah?’ You know, ‘Can you repeat what they say?’ It’s fun, I think, to hear George Clinton sing, [singing] ‘Why you so like that?’ 

Are you a big George Clinton fan? 
I know him, I know how he looks, I know his music but…not really. I’m very much into Asian music; I’m very much into Singapore music. 

What new Asian music can you recommend? 
Oho! I don’t know leh, really. [Laughs] But I’m looking forward for… Taufik [Batisah, Singapore Idol winner]. 

I’ve been in the States for a few years, so I’m kind of shocked by how the nightlife scene here has grown. Have you been checking out the new places? 
Well, some of my friends are in high places now. As in, they work – they are promoting. There’s always an invitation. It’s just that it’s always the same thing, you know? Like in London, although it’s the same, there’s always something brewing somewhere. Something is trying to make a revolution somewhere. Whether it works or not, you don’t know, but you know there is some kind of hobbit out there who is trying to create some kind of excitement again. I think we are still a follower of trends, rather than making the trends. 

Any plans to change that in the future? 
Well, it’s not my aim, too old already, lah! [Laughs] 

You don’t look it. What do you think it will take for Singapore to bust out of its shell? 
The interesting thing is, people have the freedom to do whatever they want, but when you are limited, that’s where the challenge is and that’s where we challenge ourselves. Doing things in the Malay world, you have Islam, you have religion, you have parents, you have sensitivity. All that sensitivity is really at the core of the community, but how do you work within that? How do you inject difference, how do you inject fire, provocation, controversy? 

In terms of discussing controversial subjects, do you think Singapore is moving forward? 
Sure. We must have these young people to do it for us! You know? But yeah, there is still energy and the ability to discuss. 

Speaking of young people – are you grooming a protégé? 
Is it a selfish thing to say no?

No, it’s not selfi sh at all. 
Hmm. Well, if you ask me if I have a protégé I’ll say no. I never think about that. Everyone around me is all young, and I’m always the oldest when I go to a party or a club; I always feel very, very old. And there’s always new blood coming in, and I think that’s good enough. I don’t see if Dick Lee has it, or Glen Goei or Kumar – they don’t talk about protégés, like ‘Oh, my protégé!’ and another queen comes out. [Laughs] Jumps out from the box. 

So, last question: I hear you can do a fabulous vogue. 
Fabulous vogue?

My editor has seen you do it at parties. Care to show off? 
No! [Laughs] 

Why not? Shy? 
No what! What, vogue like that, ah? [Vogues] Monkey, like that! 

Najip Ali will help you ‘Relax’ on 8 March, 9.15-9.45pm, at Esplanade Concourse, as part of Mosaic Music Festival.

Photo by Katie Ackerman