KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actor Dharma Harun Al-Rashid's son Muhammad Al Syafiq Mohamad Azman, 35, is studying as well as working to support his cash-strapped family.
Muhammad, whose father has been unable to work following a stroke he suffered in 2019, said in a Berita Harian report yesterday that he was working as a barista in Taman Setiawangsa while pursuing a year-long foundational course in performing arts at the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara).
"There has been talk that I'm not finding a job to support my family but that is not true.
"I am an Aswara student by day and a barista by night. Just that I am focusing on my final exams right now, and the heavy workload has forced me to take a break from being a barista," said Muhammad whose course ends in August.
Muhammad added that his lecturers sympathised with his financial difficulties and had provided him with some assistance.
They also encouraged him to complete his course as he was an outstanding student.
"To all my detractors, I am not bothered by what you say about me. My father and my elder sister are fully behind my decision because I am doing all of this for my family."
Muhammad said that while balancing work and studies was tiring, he had to make sacrifices as his father's only son.
"Honestly it is a struggle to meet our monthly rent of RM1,300.
"Our landlord has given us a month to settle RM7,500 in outstanding rent but I believe I can do it."
Muhammad, whose elder sister is doing a postgraduate course, previously managed his father's television production company WWS Studios Sdn Bhd which began in 2007.
They came up with a sequel to Dharma's 1980 romantic comedy Adik Manja titled Adik Manja Returns in 2012.
Muhammad had starred in Datuk Yusof Haslam's hit crime drama series Gerak Khas and Sabree Fadzil's film Kastil Tua.
He also produced and hosted a game show with a financial grant from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas).