Muhammad Saiful Azam Mohamed Yusoff (born 12 May 1969), better known by his stage name Saiful Apek is a comedian from Malaysia. He was once called "Malaysia's No.1 Comedian" during his heyday and is called "Sifu" by comedians today.
Apart from comedy, he is known as a Malaysian actor, director, singer, host and performer. He is also an actor who has starred in the most films in Malaysia from the past to the present until he broke the tradition as the comedian who holds the most main characters in each of his acting films. Earlier, he was a former member of the group Senario and left the group a few years later. However, he is now back with the group with the original members and rebranding themselves as Senariounion.
He was once named the Most Popular Star, Berita Harian Most Popular Star Award (ABPBH) 2003 and then carved his name in history as the first comedian to win the award. Most recently, he was named the recipient of the 2021 Comedy Icon Award at the 2021 Malaysian Industry & Entrepreneur Personality Awards. At the end of 2021, he was invited to enter the Astro-produced singing program, Gegar Vaganza Season 8 as a duo with Yassin Yahya/Anye and was known as the group Sa.Ya.
Early life He was born as Mohd Saifulazam bin Mohd Yusoff in Gombak, Selangor. On his birth certificate and identity card, it says 15 August 1969 but the fact is, Saiful's date of birth is 12 May 1969. The confusion was due to the events of 13 May 1969 when he had to be handed over to another family for unavoidable reasons and then only registered.
Saiful was initially raised by a woman named Jahindun binti Haji Sahin and her second husband, Haji Mohammad Jaafar Ali until the death of his mother when Saiful was 21 years old.
Only on the day of his mother's funeral, Saiful found out that he was an adopted child after not being allowed to kiss the forehead of his adoptive mother's mortal remains.
Around 1991, after migrating to Singapore, he was moved to find a biological parent who had long been separated. After obtaining information from various sources, he was finally found with 6 siblings along with his two biological parents, namely Rahmah binti Uyub and Husin bin Hashim.
In 1994, while at the Subang Parade shopping mall, he accidentally met his best friend who at the time was managing the registration of a television audition, Sinaran Pasport Kegemilangan had registered him as a participant. That was the starting point of Saiful Apek's career as an industry player in Malaysia.
Career Saiful's talent (who was then 25 years old) was discovered through the first season of Sinaran Pasport Kegemilangan competition in 1994 organized by TV3, thus becoming popular through the sitcom Senario which aired until 2013. He was also the host of TV3's most popular entertainment show, Melodi with Fauziah Ahmad Daud by using the name Apek.
Saiful owns his own production company, Gitu-Gitu Productions Sdn Bhd and was named the Most Popular Star at the Berita Harian Popular Star Award 2003 (ABPBH03). Apek made his first film appearance through a special guest character in the film Puteri Impian 2 directed by Aziz M. Osman and starring Amy Mastura. Apek and his group, Senario appeared together in their acting debut film, Senario The Movie which premiered in 1999. In this film, Apek played the role of the party boss, Apek later appeared in four more Senario acting films.
He also appeared in the telefilm Neon (2003) directed by Mohd Feroz Abdul Kader starring Faizal Yusup and Erik Fuzi with many actors including Azhar Sulaiman, Aziz M. Osman, Rashidi Ishak, Sofi Jikan, Aziz Sattar, Kuswadinata, Abby Abadi, Serina Redzuawan, Zila Bakarin, Rita Rudaini, Kartina Aziz and many more. Apek appeared with Faizal Hussein and Zul Yahya in the investigative comedy action film MX3 directed by Yusof Kelana which premiered on 25 November 2003.
Apart from that, his famous acting films are Jutawan Fakir, KL Menjerit, Gangster, Laila Isabella, Cinta Luar Biasa, Biar Betul, Gila-Gila Pengantin Popular, Kuliah Cinta, Man Laksa, Duyung, Anak Mami Kembali, Nana Tanjung, Otai, Bujang Senang, Ladyboss, Cicakman and many more.
On 1 November 2004, Apek launched his fan club Apek's F.C (A.F.C) to strengthen the relationship between him and the fans.
Saiful's most successful acting film for 2006 was Cicak-Man directed by Yusry Abdul Halim. This is the first superhero film in Malaysia. He played the main character, along with the actors involved including Fasha Sandha, Aznil Nawawi, Yasmin Hani, Yusry KRU, Jalaluddin Hassan, AC Mizal and Adlin Aman Ramlie. Apek plays the character of Hairi, a young man who accidentally swallows a lizard that is in the process of being tested in the laboratory. He and his close friend, Danny, worked at a company owned by Professor Klon, in Metrofulus City. In the same year, he appeared in the casual comedy show Gitu-Gitu Apek which aired on Astro Ria.
Apek plays the role of Jimmy in the fictional comedy film, Duyung directed by Assoc Prof A. Razak Mohaideen who paired him with Maya Karin who plays the role of Puteri. The film premiered on 6 March 2008 to commercial success. He also contributed his voice to the soundtrack of the film by singing a song entitled "Aspalela".
Apek returned to his role as Hairi/Cicakman in the film Cicakman 2 - Black Planet which premiered on 11 December 2008. His character Cicakman also made a special appearance in the film The Wedding Game.
He was offered to join Maharaja Lawak Mega 2015, but refused to maintain his position as a senior comedian. For him, there is nothing else he has to prove on the comedy stage.
However, he accepted the offer to join the Gegar Vaganza Season 8 singing program at the end of 2021 on the grounds of 'keep learning' because he is aware that in the field of singing, there is still a lot of knowledge that he needs to learn and overlooked during his youth.
Personal life Saiful grew up in Petaling Jaya ("PJ"), and his primary school education was received at SRJK Alam Shah (2) in Section 11, PJ. \
In his Ujian Penilaian Darjah 5, he received an offer to study at Kolej Melayu Kuala Kangsar.
He married Roslina Abu Hassan on 11 June 1994. They have two sons, Mohd Riyadh Aslam and Mohd Radzin Aiman.
He also owns the Gitu-Gitu Char Koey Tiaw restaurant which operates in Penang. In 2013, Apek quit smoking due to health concerns.
Controversy Saiful Apek was found guilty of injecting cannabis into his body on 12 June 2010. On 22 May 2013, the Shah Alam High Court ordered him to defend himself after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the Magistrate's Court's decision to acquit them of the charges on 25 June of the same year.
Apek and his employees were released after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case. On 25 April 2014, Apek and three of his employees were each fined RM2,500 by the High Court here on Friday after being found guilty of injecting cannabis into the body.
Filmography +Key Movies not shown
Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 Puteri Impian 2 Himself Debut film appearances 1999 Senario The Movie Apek2000 Mimpi Moon Studio Singer Senario LagiSaiful 2001 Lagi-Lagi Senario 2002 KL Menjerit Kilat Anak Mami The Movie Rickshaw Puller2003 Gila Bola Luncai Jutawan Fakir Fakir bin Miskin Laila Isabella Harun MX3 Masdor Lang Buana Gunung 2004 Berlari Ke Langit Himself Biar Betul Khai As co-producer Bintang Hati Complex Manager Cinta Luar Biasa Husin Gila-Gila Pengantin Remaja Wong Kuliah Cinta Terry 2005 Anak Mami Kembali Saiful Gangster Black Gila-Gila Pengantin Popular Zul GK3 The Movie Saiful KL Menjerit 1 Kilat Lady Boss Saiful As associate producer and co-producer Senario XX Jeneral Zoragas Tak Ori Tapi Ok Zali 2006 Main-Main Cinta Mr. Aznil Man Laksa Fadhil Mat Dom Bujang Senang Bujang/Datuk Azlan Nana Tanjung Akhbar Khan Salah Bapak Selamat Cicak Man Hairi/Cicakman2007 Otai Aiman Tan Sri Mydin Nana Tanjung 2 Akhbar Khan 2008 Duyung Jimmy Cicakman 2: Planet Hitam Hairi/Cicakman2009 The Wedding Game Cicak-man Special appearance Sifu & Tongga Sifu2010 Kecoh Betul Abang Don 4 Madu Azlan/Azrul Magika Hang Tuah 2011 Raya Tak Jadi! Shuib 2012 Bujang Terlajak Saiful Hantu Air Yassin Sofazr The Movie - Jiwa Kacau Apong Shh...Dia Datang Enol As director, screenwriter and producer2013 Rock Ooo Wan Megat Kecoh Hantu Raya Tok Chai Ebby 2014 Mana Mau Lari Tak Tau Werewolf Dari Bangladesh Mirdu 2015 Gangsterock Kasi Sengat Bromo2016 Lu Mafia Gua Gangster Muluk Dan Konco: Hero Malaya 2017 Pak Pong Tok Belantara 2019 XX Ray 3 Azli Cameo appearance Banglasia 2.0 Omar KL Vampires Syakir 2020 Syif Malam Raya Mr. Khairul 2021 Rumah Madu Ku Berhantu P. I. Dino2022 Nasi Lemak 1.0 Chief Pirate Hantu Kuat Ketawa Amirul Jaga-Jaga Senariounion Saiful Hantu Tenggek Tuan Sidek 2023 Sumpahan Syaitan Adam Satu Hari Sebelum Raya Uncle Special appearance Sumpahan Malam Raya Wak Sarip2025 Bukan Hantu Biashe Biashe Coach Buster 6 Jilake Nagasari
Television Year Title Role TV channel 1994 Sinaran Pasport Kegemilangan ParticipantTV3 1998–2004 Senario 1998–1999 Melodi Host 1999 Senario In Person Guest 2006–2007 Gitu-Gitu Apek Apek Astro Ria 2009–2010 Jangan Tidur Lagi Host TV3 2011 Zizan Show Guest Astro Warna 2011–2012 Maharaja Lawak Permanent judges Astro Warna 2013 Raja Lawak Astro (Season 7) Permanent judgesAstro Warna 2016–2017 Lawak Solo Permanent judges2017 Konsert Komedi Himself - Week 7 (Senario Reunion) Lawak Ke Der Tak Coverline Guest2018 Di Balik Tawa (Season 1) Guest Bintang Bersama Bintang (Season 2) Permanent judges TV3 2020–2021 Tok Kata Host Awesome TV 2021 Gegar Vaganza (Season 8) Participant Astro Ria 2023 Kampung Senariuh Apek Awesome TV
Television series Year Title Role TV channel Notes 2003 Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd (Season 6) Himself Channel 5 Episode: "Worst Case Senario" 2006 Ejen 016 Ejen 016 TV3 2011–2012 S.Y.O.K TV1 2011–2013 Edisi Khas TV3 2021 Yo Lah Tu! TV9 2022 Senduk Swap TA-DAA!
Telemovie Year Title Role TV channel Notes 2002 O.K Lim Tem Pek / SaifulVCD Also as director, screenwriter and executive producer 2003 Champion Sood Qudut & Qatik Qudut As director Jadi Tak Jadi Along Apa Nak Dikata? Azmi Siapa Tak Sayang Bini 1 & 2 Saiful Neon Weird Man Pelakon Popular Himself 2004 Hero Yang Terlampau 2006 Gitu-Gitu Apek Aidilfitri Astro Ria 2011Hantu SusuJinggo Sudu & Garfu Rosli TV3 2016 Last Kopek Havoc Taiko San DVD 2017 Gitu-Gitu Raya Astro Raya HD 2021 Kampong Bharu Yusoff TV2 2022 Sejenis Raya Senariounion Saiful Astro Warna 2023 Monsun Barat, Angin Selatan Pak Din TV1
Discography
Single Saiful Apek & Famili - Kalakian - (2009; featuring. Diarra) Saiful Apek & Famili - Hua Hua Hua - (2009) Pak Pung - (2013; Isma AF7 & featuring. Altimet) Bangkit! - (2025; Nik Qistina & featuring. YBJ)
Awards and nominations +YearAwardsCategoryResult2003Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2003 Most Popular Star Popular Male TV ActorsBoth Wons2006Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2006Popular Male Film ActorsWon2007Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2007Top 52008Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2008Top 52021Anugerah Ikon Komedi Malaysia 2021Open AwardWon2024Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2024Most Popular Comedy Artist (with Senario)Won
References
External links