Dafi Learns To Tune Out Critics Face New Challenges As Pm S Son

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Shouldering the high-profile status as the son of Malaysia's ninth prime minister, local singer Dafi is well aware of the different challenges that he might face.
Even so, Dafi, whose talents were discovered through the local reality show Akademi Fantasia, believed that he is well prepared for the future.
The 32-year-old, whose real name is Gadaffi Ismail Sabri, said he is no stranger to being associated with his father's political career, even before the recent rise to be prime minister.
"For sure there will be people linking my father's name to my career, but I am prepared physically, mentally and emotionally.
"All this while, I am used to people saying, 'he is like this, he is like that, only because of his father'," he shared.

Singer Gadaffi Ismail Sabri
"However, what I can do is to continue working hard.
"I also need to learn how to ignore the voices and deliver the best result based on my own talents," he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Dafi made his singing debut as a reality star in 2007, while his father Ismail Sabri was only known as an Umno leader and first-term Bera MP.

Prior to his rise as prime minister, Ismail Sabri helmed various ministries during the BN administrations under former premiers Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Abdul Razak.
He took over the role of an opposition leader during Pakatan Harapan's 22-month tenure before returning as a senior minister and the deputy prime minister in the previous Perikatan Nasional administration.
Despite Ismail Sabri's current position, Dafi said his own personality will not change, with past successes gained through his own hard work.
"InsyaAllah, I will maintain my own identity. I rarely talk about politics and in fact, I realise there are those among my fans who share different political ideologies.
"I don't want to talk too much about things that are not my expertise. I just don't want to trigger unnecessary things," he added.

Singer Gadaffi and his father Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Asked whether he has concerns over irresponsible parties trying to approach him with intentions to take advantage, Dafi admitted he has to be more careful.
He said there will always be such individuals to be avoided due to their negative attitude.
"Even at the stage when my father's appointment was just a rumour, there were already individuals trying to get close.

"But to be honest, I don't really mind so long as the person came with good intentions," he said. - Mkini

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