Hishamuddin Rais

Hishamuddin Rais (also known under the pen-name of Isham) is a Malaysian film director, stand-up comedian, political and social activist. He is also notable as a columnist for several newspapers including Berita Minggu, The Sun, Malaysiakini.com and Off The Edge.

Hishamuddin completed his secondary education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He obtained his degree in South East Asia History in 1971 from University of Malaya. He is also a film and video graduate from University of Westminster, London.

He is fluent in the French language.

Hishamuddin has produced and directed several films, namely:

Hishamuddin is also a notable stand-up comedian, having performed several shows in Malaysia and in foreign countries, most recently in the United Kingdom.

Hishamuddin was actively involved in campus politics whilst he was still studying at University of Malaya. His subsequent entry into Malaysian politics came after he returned to Malaysia in 1994 after having graduated in film and video from the University of Westminster, London in 1992. He organised several street demonstrations from 1998 to 2000 following the ouster of deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.

In 2001, Hishamuddin was arrested under the section 71(3) of the Internal Security Act 1984 on the charge of conspiracy to overthrow the government with threat and violence.

In 2013, together with Tian Chua and Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Hishammuddin was charged with sedition for their speeches at Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly hall on 13 May.

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