Malaysian veteran comedian Abon has candidly revealed that his life savings and his wife’s pension totaling RM48,000 have been entirely wiped out to pay for critical heart surgery and ongoing medical treatments, forcing him to set aside his pride and apply for welfare assistance from the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM).
The 66-year-old entertainer, whose legal name is Sharizan Ahmad, found himself facing severe financial distress following a sudden heart attack in late June. As he navigates a lengthy recovery period that prevents him from returning to work, the mounting medical expenses have completely depleted the household’s financial reserves, according to reporting by Kosmo Online.
“My medication alone reaches hundreds of ringgit, not including incidental expenses throughout the time I was sick around the middle of last year,” Abon said during a recent home visit by a delegation from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). “The savings I had were entirely used up to cover medical costs because I do not have a pension.”
Medical Crisis and Surging Treatment Costs
The health crisis struck unexpectedly on June 28, when Abon experienced sudden chest pain while participating in the Malaysian Traditional Food National Heritage Department Expo in Ipoh, Perak. After an initial evaluation at a local clinic, he was rushed to the emergency zone of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in Ipoh before being transferred to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM), as detailed by Kosmo Online. Medical teams performed an emergency balloon angioplasty and inserted the first stent on June 30, followed by a second stent procedure days later. Together, the cost of installing the two cardiac stents reached approximately RM48,000—an expense that was shouldered entirely by utilizing the pension funds of his wife, Fauziah Muksin.
Despite maintaining a disciplined lifestyle to manage a family history of diabetes—noting that his parents and siblings battled the condition—the sudden cardiac event caught him completely off guard. “I was ‘down’ too. I am not a smoker, and my lifestyle is not social. I am not the type to go out until midnight; I return straight home after work,” he shared with Kosmo Online, adding that his blood sugar readings hovered safely around five to six before the incident.
Overcoming Hesitation to Seek Welfare Support
For an artist who spent decades actively touring and frequently extending financial help to others in need, the transition to becoming a welfare applicant has proven emotionally taxing. “I never asked for help before, but rather I was the one who gave help because we were capable. Now the situation has changed,” he admitted.
Abon confessed that he initially felt deeply conflicted about submitting an application to the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), fearing that his public profile might complicate the process or that he might inadvertently deprive someone else in greater need. However, with zero incoming revenue during his post-operative recovery, he acknowledged that he no longer had a choice. “If possible, I really do not want to ask, especially fearing that if I apply to JKM, I might take someone else’s right. When this difficult situation struck me, I immediately felt conflicted about asking for help. Hopefully, it won’t be the case that just because I am an artist, I cannot apply. We are already unable, cannot work, so indeed there is no source of income.”
Recognizing the severity of his situation, a delegation under the Finas Program Ziarah Seni Madani visited his home to provide direct financial relief. The contribution was formally presented by Rozaidi Abdul Jamil, who serves as the chairman of the Finas Industry Welfare and Data Committee and is also the president of the Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman).
As Abon continues his extended recovery at home under strict medical supervision, industry stakeholders and fans await further updates regarding his health rehabilitation and the progress of his JKM welfare application.
