KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran comedian Syed Muradzi Syed Shamsul or Dee of Jangan Ketawa fame, has shared a "blast from the past" with Netizens when he underwent a three-week "self-quarantine".
Not that he was tested positive for a virus, but the hairstylist-turned-comedian from Kangar, Perlis was extremely worried about society's acceptance of his cross-dressing role in the iconic 1990s sitcom on TV3.
In an Instagram post three days ago, Dee revealed that he was then staying in a condominium in Brickfields with his late friend and fellow Jangan Ketawa comedian Sheikh Munir Sheikh Mahmud or Moon, and both of them played the roles of women in the sitcom.
Dee said that he and Moon had to "quarantine" themselves as they were afraid of possible repercussions for daring to play women.
However, their fear turned out to be unreasonable, as Malaysians from all walks of life loved Jangan Ketawa.
Motorists even caused a minor traffic jam outside their condominium, just to meet and greet them.
Dee said: "It was the first day Jangan Ketawa aired on TV3, Sept 4, 1991.
The late Moon and I had a lockdown for three weeks in our condominium unit at Palm Court in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
"We were very scared of the people's perception towards us. We prayed hard that it would be safe for us to go out.
"After the third week we braved ourselves, and went out for lunch at a nearby restaurant. To our surprise, many people greeted us. They were so overwhelmed, and they were a multi-racial crowd.
"Then a school bus stopped outside our condominium and the kids called out our names, Dee and Moon! They cheered.
"The driver also came out, shook our hands and got our autographs. We were all stunned.
"Then other motorists called out our names and greeted us. It took a good 15 minutes for the traffic jam they caused to go away.
"Thank you all Malaysians for your support, and for still loving and remembering all the good times we had in Jangan Ketawa."
Netizens congratulated Dee for sharing his story. They fondly remembered Jangan Ketawa which also starred the late Robert Kong, the late Rambo Chin, Robert's brothers Robin and Danny, Ghanie Ahmad, Sri Shan, Rama Sundram, and Harith Iskander.
Azuin said: "The best sitcom. I loved it when I was small."
FJ said: "I really loved it. My all time favourite series."
Juan said: "Jangan Ketawa my all time favourite, especially Dee and the late Moon."