He flicks off insults like dandruff

Even though vocal Malaysian actor Zed Zaidi did not name names in his recent Twitter post, Kuala Lumpur-based Singapore star Aaron Aziz was likely the recipient of the former's subtle dig - again.

Zed, 33, had posted last Saturday: "History repeats! Should we be proud? Hmmm....."

The same night, Aaron bagged the Most Popular Artist and Most Popular Film Actor accolades at Malaysia's Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH) 2013 entertainment awards.

In 2012, Zed had infamously questioned Aaron's win in the Most Popular Artist category by taking to Twitter to say he would be prouder if a Malaysian had won.

He sarcastically said: "Thank you Malaysians for encouraging foreigners to 'destroy' the industry."

That year, Aaron was also named Most Popular Film Actor.

Regarding Zed's latest remarks, 38-year-old Aaron remains unfazed and adopts a "don't know, don't care" attitude.

He told The New Paper yesterday over the phone from Sabah: "(His tweet) could mean anything, it's not an issue with me. There are haters but (the comments) are like dandruff. I just flick it off, it doesn't matter to me."

On his win, Aaron - who walked away with two trophies, a Nissan Almera car, Nakita Gold & Diamond jewellery and a Tendence watch from ABPBH 2013 - said: "I was honestly surprised because last year I didn't have many blockbusters or 'explosive products'.

"I'm still pretty overwhelmed but very happy and very touched. I didn't mind losing, but this win is for my family and the fans."

Aaron was not the only Singaporean winner at the awards.

Fellow Singaporean actor Shah Iskandar (left), 32, who labelled himself an "underdog", won his first award at the ceremony for Most Popular TV Actor, beating out Singaporean Adi Putra and Malaysians Akim, Izzue Islam and Johan As'ari.

UNFAZED

Aaron's devoted Malaysian fans that TNP spoke to also brushed off Zed's indirect attack on their idol. They had voted for Aaron via SMS and Berita Harian voting forms, enabling him to rake in the highest number of votes - totalling 76,742.

"We already saw the tweet when we were at the awards show. But personally, I think we should just ignore people like that. We voted for Aaron because of his talent. Nationality is not an issue. Aaron is humble and he works very hard. If anything, his win should be a benchmark for other artists to aim to be even better," said Ms Radzlina Ismail, a 44-year-old administrative manager.

President of Aaron's fan club, Aaronators FC, Ms Nur Syazwanie Mohd Razali, 24, a personal assistant, added: "Aaron deserves it as much as any other Malaysian artists. Besides, we were the ones with the power to vote and we think he deserves his wins."

This article was first published on May 27, 2014.
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