A. Aida (right) does not want the ongoing issue with Ruhainies to affect the projects under her company. Photos: Ruhainies/Instagram, mStar
Malaysian producer Datuk A. Aida has "blacklisted" actress Ruhainies from acting in her future productions following her suspected khalwat (close proximity) case with Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz.
Aliff – who's married to local singer Bella Astillah – and Ruhainies were arrested by Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) officers on March 9 after they were seen together at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.
In an interview with mStar, The Star's Malay-language news portal, Aida said she does not want Ruhainies to act in her productions anymore.
"After this issue surfaced, I knew it would affect the dramas and telemovies under my production (A. Aida Production)," said the 53-year-old.
She added that Ruhainies, 31, was initially set to take on the lead role in the upcoming telefilm, Elham Untuk Nian, which starts filming in April.
In light of the recent controversy, however, Aida and her production team ultimately decided to find another actress to replace Ruhainies.
"We have already discussed and set the filming date. It's just that the contract hasn't been signed yet.
"Even if it has been signed, I have the right as a producer to remove her.
"This doesn't apply to Ruhainies alone. I will blacklist any artiste that causes problems," she said.
Aside from setting an example for other artistes in the local film industry, Aida said her decision to boot Ruhainies off her project was also influenced by her friendship with Bella, 29.
"I'm very good friends with Bella, so it doesn't feel right for me to have Ruhainies act (in my project) due to the ongoing issue," she added.
In another development, Ruhainies said that the situation with Singapore-born Aliff was not khalwat as claimed by many.
She added that she will release an official statement soon and urged the media to be more careful with their headlines to avoid creating more confusion.
Meanwhile, Aliff, 33, has apologised for the incident and said he will issue a statement to explain what really happened as there have been many "exaggerated reports" circulating.
