#SHOWBIZ: Stacy fires back at Boy Hamzah over Agnez Mo copycat allegations

KUALA LUMPUR: An online dispute erupted between Malaysian and Indonesian netizens after Indonesian actor Boy Hamzah made remarks about a Malaysian boycott of an Indonesian men's care brand. Boy Hamzah claimed that Malaysia "would not exist without Indonesia," which incensed netizens for his lack of understanding of regional history.

As tensions rose, Boy Hamzah singled out popular Malaysian singer Stacy Anam, 36, posting an old photo of the former Akademi Fantasia contestant and alleging she had copied the song and dance style of Indonesian pop star Agnez Mo. Stacy responded fiercely, asserting her artistic identity: "I'm not Agnez and she's not me. I'm a Malaysian Sabahan and my style is my own.

Agnez has much more experience than me, and has performed since she was a kid, unlike me," she said. Stacy explained that her image had been meticulously crafted over the years by her creative team. To emphasize the unfairness of comparing artists, Stacy suggested comparing Indonesian singer Lesti Kejora with Malaysia's Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, noting that while they appeared similar when they first emerged, the comparison ends there.

Stacy added that many in both Malaysia and Indonesia are familiar with Siti. The singer took a direct jab at regional issues, stating her pride in being Malaysian and her opposition to environmental destruction, particularly when it transpires across borders and endangers the health of millions. She expressed solidarity with Indonesians who were embarrassed by the actions of certain companies.