KUALA LUMPUR: Dira Abu Zahar may have had a good following as an actress, and now that she is a Puteri Umno member, showbiz occasionally “tempts” her to come back.
"I do miss the entertainment industry, even though I decided to become a full-time director early last year.
"Nevertheless, I'm very much my father's daughter and I've always wanted to follow his footsteps in serving the rakyat," said Dira, 34, in a news report today.
Law graduate Dira became a Puteri Umno executive council member for Tangga Batu in her home state Melaka two years ago. Beginning this year, she has chosen to concentrate on Puteri Umno activities, taking a break from filmmaking.
Her late father, Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Isnin was a former Chief Minister of Melaka who served from 1997 to 1999.
“It was his wish that I join him in Umno, but my love for entertainment prompted me to be a TV host and actress first," said Dira who hosted entertainment programmes before starring in films as Longkai, Cinta, Cun, Gila Baby, Sejoli and Kil.
“Being a Puteri Umno member doens't mean turning my back on entertainment, though. Serving the people also means highlighting various issues affecting the entertainment industry to the government."
Dira does not rule out producing telemovies and dramas in the years to come, via her production company Hyper Pictures Sdn Bhd.
“I'll be incredibly busy the whole of this year. Perhaps, when I'm freer, I'll return to producing telemovies, which I told myself I'd do once I finished a decade in showbiz two years ago."
Dira admitted that being an actress and director helped her understand problems faced by the people, since she had played different people and worked under different directors.
“TV and film did open my eyes to various issues affecting Malaysians. In some ways, showbiz helped prepare me for my work in Puteri Umno."
Dira strongly identifies with her father's principles of moderation, and does not believe in being confrontational when raising issues affecting entertainers.
“My father believed that being diplomatic and tactful was the best way to resolve any issue of public interest. I'm all for his approach in work and showbiz."