Afdlin Shauki recounts five-hour ordeal trapped in Paris riots

KUALA LUMPUR: Actor and comedian Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan recounted his harrowing five-hour experience during the Paris riots. The family, including Afdlin, his wife, and their three-year-old daughter Inaya, were in France attending the International Market of Communications Programmes (Mipcom) in Cannes when they ventured near the Louvre.

As they encountered a demonstration, the situation escalated, with rioters running in all directions. Afdlin's store displayed staff who swiftly ushered them inside and locked the door upon noticing them with their young daughter. They remained in the store until the situation seemed to subside, but were unable to find an exit. Eventually, they took refuge in a restaurant connected to a nearby hotel.

The elderly couple who operated the restaurant and the other patrons looked out for Afdlin's daughter. The family also faced tear gas inside the restaurant, causing Afdlin's wife to be hit in the eyes by pepper spray, and Afdlin himself experiencing chest tightness. Witnessing his daughter's panic and difficulty breathing left Afdlin deeply shaken, emphasizing the importance of ensuring his family's safety above any tourist attraction.

Despite the ordeal, Afdlin cautioned against generalizing the actions of a few individuals in one area to represent the entire nation. He urged Malaysians traveling abroad to prioritize their safety, follow authorities' instructions, and verify official information before continuing their journey.