After more than six decades in the arts and broadcasting industry, artiste Datuk Rahim Razali considers being named Tokoh Seri Angkasa at the Anugerah Seri Angkasa 2026 (ASA 2026) one of the most meaningful honours of his career, which began in 1959.
For Rahim, the recognition is particularly special as such honours in the broadcasting industry are relatively rare, making the accolade all the more precious.
"To me, the Tokoh Seri Angkasa Award means a great deal. I am deeply grateful and thankful to have received this honour," he told reporters after the grand finale of ASA 2026 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
In addition to a trophy, he received RM10,000 in cash, a Proton e.MAS 7 worth RM150,000 sponsored by DRB-HICOM, RM8,000 in cash sponsored by CIMB, and a three-day, two-night holiday package at Hotel Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur worth RM1,000.
In broadcasting, Rahim's voice is well recognised among Malaysian sports fans through his work as a commentator with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Throughout his career, he has commentated on five Olympic Games and six FIFA World Cup tournaments, placing him among those who have contributed to the development of sports broadcasting in the country.
In the entertainment industry, Rahim is known as an actor and director whose work in films and television dramas has left a lasting impression.
For the Batu Gajah-born Perak native, the 1981 film Abang remains the most sentimental work in his artistic journey.
The film won the Best Actor award at the Second Malaysia Film Festival and also marked his directorial debut.
He subsequently directed several other films, including Matinya Seorang Patriot, Pemburu, Tsu Feh Sofiah, Puteri, Anak Sarawak, Rentak Desa and Abang 92.
At 87, Rahim continues to receive acting offers but admits that his physical condition has become a major consideration before he agrees to take part in a production.
"The offers are there, but it is difficult to accept them because I can no longer sustain the pace for long. Shooting for a day or two is fine, but beyond that, I no longer have the stamina," he said.
He also acknowledged that his ability to memorise scripts has declined compared with his younger days, when he could remember lengthy dialogues without much difficulty.
"Alhamdulillah, I can still memorise lines, but not as well as I did when I was younger. Five or even 10 pages were no problem. Now, even five lines can be difficult," he said.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Rahim advised the younger generation to pursue careers in the arts with genuine passion and to continually broaden their knowledge through reading and independent learning.
He said understanding the intricacies of storytelling and character development was essential for aspiring artistes to gain a deeper appreciation of their chosen field and take their responsibilities seriously. – Bernama
