ABOUT an hour into the interview, Datuk Yusuf Haslam, suddenly got up and apologised profusely.
“I say, so sorry but I forgot to offer the tea that they brought in earlier. Oh dear, it’s all cold now ...” said the well-known entertainment supremo.
But tea, whether it cold or hot, was still tea and Yusof, now managing director of Skop Productions, is one man who has to have his daily brew on time, once in the morning and again come evening.
Dat uk Yusof Haslam: ‘Sometimes, it is the simplest of fare, not fancy cuisine, that keeps customers coming back for more.’ To watch Yusof enjoy his teh tarik is to witness a connoisseur’s appreciation for this much-loved beverage.
Clearly, Yusof at tea time was a completely different man from the one that had strode into his three-storeyed office looking all business-like and with a “please-don’t-waste-my-time” demeanour.
It would be at tea time too that Yusof would reveal a character trait that was so common with those of his generation.
Decorum, best describes it. And it was in this vein that Yusof, who is of Malay and Afghan parentage, would share his thoughts on the differences of style between scriptwriters of his time and the younger lot.
“I stand on the principle that old- fashioned morality must prevail when it comes to my shows.
“I have noticed that the younger generation tend not to agree on this as they push the barriers of taboo in their storylines.
“While there are advantages as well as disadvantages to this, I will say that I am certainly not comfortable with issues like sexual freedom,” admitted Yusof.
And in keeping with decorum, Yusof would offer an insight into his stand on correct behaviour. One example involved the rules he has imposed upon his four children.
Negri Sembilan delicacy, Telur Itik Masak Lemak. “I am totally against smoking and I try as much as possible to discourage late night partying though my wife, Datin Fatimah, has implored me to be more lenient with my daughter 21-year-old daughter, Nursyamin, who is studying Commercial Law in Australia,” he revealed.
And no, this is one father who will not tolerate his children loafing about the house though he can well afford to support them.
As it is, Syamsul, his 24-year-old son is already a director on Evolusi KL Drift which was released in April this year while Syafiq, 16, who is studying at an international school, has acted in a few dramas produced by Yusof.
So, as a writer himself, what is his stand on artistic freedom?
“As long as there is no encouragement towards negative elements, it’s fine. Even in art, there is a need to abide by rules. Agreed that there must be democracy but without control, everything would go topsy turvy.
As an example, just imagine if there was no police force. We’d have a lawless situation,” he pointed out.
To reiterate, Yusof would also stress that although such “control” may not be favourable to some, he reasoned that in life, there are times when you have to agree to or do things that you don’t like for your own good.
“One example is keeping a hold of your tongue though you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind.
It’s a case of taking sensitivities into account, to maintain good relationships and for the well-being of one’s business,” he pointed out.
Such statements from this 54-year-old grandfather of three, would hardly be surprising. For one, Yusof belongs to the era of writers who still do their work with pen and paper. His is a generation who steadfastly insists that resting one’s feet on a table was not only unbecoming but an act of rudeness in the most extreme form.
Ayam Aladdin And though Yusof had been somewhat of a heart throb during the 70s and 80s, he would steadfastly maintain that he had never experienced what it was like to be chased by a mob of female fans.
“I was the serious type,” he admitted.
So what does this decorous gentleman do in his free time, then?
“I sometimes go jogging with my wife and we run for about 3 km. Other than that, what I like to do is to play badminton with my driver,” revealed Yusof.
Music wise, Yusof looks to the soothing sounds of Kenny G and though he seldom watches TV, this is one guy who loves a good police series. Some of his favourites include classics like TJ Hooker (starring William Shatner) and Magnum PI (starring Tom Selleck).
But what finally made Yusof lose that stiff-upper lip was the mention of Haslam Restaurant which he co-owns with his brother, Mohd Taj Aslam, 51.
This, he revealed, was one of his favourite hangouts, despite it being situated next to a casket shop.
“The restaurant was there before the casket shop opened. At first, I was a little uneasy but my father-in-law advised me not to be so superstitious and to concentrate on the business. And what do you know, the restaurant has more customers than before the casket shop opened,” he laughed.
As for food, Yusof, who also owns the cafe below his office, opined that it should be kept simple.
“Not everyone likes going to posh places. Sometimes, it’s simple, delicious and value-for-money fare that keeps customers coming back for more,” said Yusof who went into the food business way back in 1982.
He had started with a small canteen at the PKNS Complex and his mum, Baagan Talib, now 85, was chief cook.
Yusof professes a love for Penang char kuay teow and nasi kandar. “But you know, sometimes I have to watch my sugar and cholesterol intake,” he said. Otherwise, it’s tea as usual, but less sugar, please.
For enquiries call Haslam Restaurant at 03-4025 2545 or Haslam Kafe at 03-4143 9825.
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