Being in the spotlight comes with its drawbacks but one drawback that no one can ever get used to when in the spotlight, is the amount of hate thrown at you. While it’s easier to ignore trolls and negativity in the comment sections on social media, it’s harder to overlook threatening messages that claim to want to jeopardize the safety of those you love. And that’s exactly what the 36-year-old director of the ‘Munafik’, ‘KL Gangster’ and ‘Evolusi KL Drift’ series has had to deal with. Syamsul Yusof, who has been married since 2014 and has two children, has been receiving threatening messages from an Instagram account that purports to want to both destroy him.
In an interview with the press, Yusof read out the threatening messages. They start by saying,
“Don’t think that just because you’re successful now, you are safe. You just wait, I will destroy you and your wife. Nowadays, various things can be done. Photoshop, there are all kinds of face apps I can use; I can aim for you. Destroy your career, it’s easy to photoshop your s*** face.”
As if that weren’t bad enough, the menacing words aimed at Yusof also involve his family.
“Do not think children and wife are safe. I know where you live and where your children go to school. I watch your wife every day. Do not get too comfortable with your life now. I’ve been watching your wife and children for a long time now. Just wait, I will aim for you and your family. I will kill you all.”
After noticing the messages, Yusof lodged a police report. He confesses to noticing the account that was sending the messages earlier in the year but had not paid much attention to it. However, over the course of the year, the threats grew in both frequency and intensity. Not only that, Yusof said that his wife had mentioned being followed by “an unidentified individual” that she describes as having “a big build and wearing a bracelet”.
“I don’t know if and why this person is hostile towards me but what’s certain is that the messages are threats aimed at me and my family. This is too much. If you’re not satisfied, then come meet me face to face. I’m willing to die but don’t ever touch my kids. I have been patient for a long time now. No more Mr Nice Guy since this has gotten out of hand.”
Since reports of the threats have been released, friends and fans alike have been sending Yusof and his family well wishes. Touched by their concern, he tweeted:
https://twitter.com/SyamsulYusof84/status/1316790584732917760
Fingers crossed the perpetrator behind the threats is caught soon!