Actor Isma aims to fight stigma over mental disorders

Compiled by C. ARUNO, ZAKIAH KOYA and R. ARAVINTHAN

ACTOR and director Muhammad Ismaizal Yusoof, who recently announced that he was suffering from bipolar disorder, said he wanted to fight the stigma of being called “mad”.

Harian Metro reported that Isma, as he is popularly known, said that he was going to focus on creating awareness on the disorder.

“It is now my duty to ‘fight’ such a stigma so that others who are suffering mental disorders can be given opportunities to hold jobs so that they can be independent and not depend on their families.

“I am not really shocked at those who continue to sideline me as I understand how difficult it is to change people’s mindset, ” said Isma.

The 39-year old said there should be more awareness and education on mental disorders to prevent people such as him from being called “mad”.

He said he was lucky to have TV stations continue to accept him despite having gone public on about his illness.

> A farmer in Kedah has successfully planted 25 varieties of grapes, including premium grapes worth RM600 per kilogramme.

Berita Harian reported that Tan Soon Huat, 58, of Kampung Baru Padang Lembu, Gurun, Kedah, planted grapes such as “kyoho” (Japanese), “golden muscat” and “black beauty” from Israel and “sweet sapphire” from California.

He said the quality of his grapes produced locally was akin to the quality of grapes produced in countries with four seasons.

“The shine muscat from Japan is only available locally in big cities and sold between RM500 and RM600 per kilogramme.

“This is a Japanese icon as it is more expensive compared to those from China, Taiwan and South Korea.

“I have 80 vines now and I have harvested it four times, but I have yet to sell my produce, ” said Tan.

The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.