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Glam Halal | september-0ctober . 2020

BY CAMILIA REZALI

Zainuddin will not want to be anywhere else .

“ I ’ ve never imagined myself being where I am today - in the industry of performing arts and owning a side business ,” said Zarina , a Negeri Sembilan-born actress .

Being raised in a small town in Perak , Zarina said she only wished to be a school teacher back then .

Zarina is the eldest daughter to Zainuddin Ibrahim and Zahura Abdul Mutalib . She had her secondary education at SMK Dato ’ Abdul Rahman Yaakub , Bota Kanan , Perak .

After completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia ( SPM ), she encountered opportunities to become an actress . And that was in 1988 .

At the age of 22 , Zarina found her soulmate , Datuk Sri Dr Raihan Wan Jaafar . They are blessed with four children – Muhd Adam Azrai , Muhd Naim Azrai , Muhd Raizal Azrai ( Azal ) and Muhd Razil Azrai ( Azil ). Both her 23-year-old twins , Azal and Azil , are on the autism spectrum .

Acting career

So how did young Zarina make her way into the entertainment industry ?

It all started when Zarina took up the challenge to compete in Dewi Remaja ( Miss Teen Malaysia ), a beauty contest organised by Remaja magazine . At the time , Zarina was in her teenage years .

“ I was among the six from 20 contestants who were chosen for a test shoot at the studio . I didn ’ t get through during the first few takes because during the first round , I was only wearing a simple baju kurung , and I did not know how to appear stylish .

“ My aunt offered me some advice , and she helped me to shift my appearance slightly . After that , I made it through to top three Dewi Remaja ,” she added .

It was when she first moved into the limelight . She was offered to be on the cover of advertisements for brands like ‘ SINGA ’ and ‘ Salem ’ cigarette . She was also placed on the cover of teenage fictional novels and

My favourite part of the business is going down to sell the rendang pulut kuning in every State and getting the chance to meet my customers and deliver the foods by hand .”

video clips for karaoke music .

Later on , she decided to attend acting classes under Sarimah Film Productions Sdn Bhd by Datuk Sarimah Ahmad - a Malaysian actress most famously known for her work in various black-and-white Malay films of the 1960s and 1970s including Ibu Mertuaku and Madu Tiga .

It was in 1989 that her acting career started to bloom . Her first few films were Sumpahan Berdarah and Sepasang Mata Maut . After that , she starred in other films such as Lirikan Siluman , Ular , Bintang Malam , Antara Gadis Girlfriend Kontrak and many more .

She was also cast in Malay dramas such as Love You Mr Arang , Istikharah Cinta , Bicara Hati , Surat Buat Maisarah , 30 Pesanan Suara and Bidadari Kiriman Tuhan . Up until today , Zarina is still alive and kicking in the entertainment industry , taking up roles for Malay television dramas .

Business venture Apart from acting , Zarina is also quite a keen entrepreneur herself . She said her growing sales of turmeric glutinous rice has helped her family to own a warm and cozy home . That is how much her business is flourishing .

Zarina shared : “ The business started four years ago . Now , we are moving towards the use of retort machines to make the food last longer .

“ My favourite part of the business is going down to sell the rendang pulut kuning in every State and getting the chance to meet my customers and deliver the food by hand .”

The business is registered under Adoura Marketing ( M ) Sdn Bhd , her own company which was previously selling cosmetic products . The glutinous rice business is in partnership with iRush Services for food delivery transportation .

On top of that , they work with an official agent , Hyda Dynaz D ’ lilez .

Zarina expanded the business by introducing a whole range of rendang to be paired with the glutinous rice - namely beef