KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Yana Samsudin has expressed shock over rumours accusing her husband and fellow artiste, Fadzil Zahari, of being involved in a drug-related arrest.
The accusations, which recently spread on social media, surfaced while the couple was performing their Umrah pilgrimage.
Yana clarified that Fadzil's red eyes, which some pointed to as evidence, were a result of an allergic reaction to the cool weather in the Holy Land.
"I see this as a test for our family while performing Umrah last December," Yana told BH Online.
She was met during the premiere of her latest film, Sahak Gangster, held at GSC Tropicana Gardens Mall, Kota Damansara, last night.
"When we're doing something good, Allah tests us to see how we handle challenges. My husband's red eyes were purely due to the weather," she added.
Yana revealed she first learned of the rumours when her phone kept ringing while she was focused on her pilgrimage.
"Actually, my family and I were invited by the Saudi Arabian Embassy for Umrah and visits to several historical sites.
"While in Makkah at 3 am, my phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
"Upon returning to the hotel, my husband read the messages and discovered the speculation surrounding him.
"I told him to leave it behind and focus on our journey," she said.
She also urged the public to avoid making baseless accusations and hoped that people would learn from the mistake.
"I was surprised by the individual who was arrested. Hope everyone learns from this and that all proceedings will be made easy," she said.
It was previously reported that a popular Malaysian comedian was arrested in Jeddah last October for drug possession and is now serving a six-month jail term in Saudi Arabia.
In another development, Yana returns to acting after six years in the film Sahak Gangster, directed by Dr. Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri.
The movie, set to begin screening this Thursday, also stars Hariz Hamdan, Nelissa Nizam and Usop Wilcha.