ANN/THE STAR – Malaysian actress Ruhainies has provided clarification that her acting opportunities were not cancelled but rather postponed in the aftermath of her alleged involvement in a khalwat scandal with married Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz.
In a recent interview with the local media, the 31-year-old Ruhainies stated that the controversy had minimal impact on her career, particularly as she usually collaborates with international brands.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t affected at all, but there were advantages too.
“I believe everything happens for a reason and Alhamdulillah I’ve received many offers overseas,” she told mStar, The Star’s Malay-language news portal.
Ruhainies, whose full name is Nur Ruhainies Farehah Zainul Ilyas, added that her suspected khalwat controversy had gained plenty of traction to the point it reached China.
However, she declined to comment more on the offers she received for now.
“I can’t say much because discussion is still ongoing. This story is not just viral in Malaysia but in China.
“I pray that my popularity won’t be affected because of this controversy,” said the actress.
It’s worth noting that Aliff’s wife, Malaysian artiste Bella Astillah, represented Malaysia at the Wuhu Shenshan Music Festival 2024 in China recently.
She earned praise for her energetic performance despite her struggles in a domestic conflict with Aliff, 33.
On March 9, Aliff and Ruhainies were detained by religious authorities under suspicion of khalwat in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.
The controversy affected their reputation, with a brand even blurring Ruhainies’ face in a Ramadhan commercial.
Bella later filed for a divorce from Aliff, but the Singaporean refused to divorce her during the second hearing on April 4.
The estranged couple, who have two children together, married in September 2016.
