Exclusive, Gary Iskak Patiently Facing Ups And Downs For A Better Life

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - Gary Iskak seems not far from the news. His name is often dragged in several cases so that his personal life is highlighted. The climax, in 2022 he experienced cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C to the point where he fell into a coma in the hospital.

Luckily he got treatment and a chance to come back. Until now, he admits that the incident was one of the best fortunes he has ever received.

"It's the way. Yes, I don't know, maybe it's already the way it is, just have to live with it. Being grateful, enjoy. At least that's it... in the sense that we have to improve ourselves again to be better," said Gary Iskak during a visit to the VOI Media Office, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

"Because it's an extraordinary fortune. That's for sure because we all learn from the experience, from the experience itself. The funny thing is we can't beat that. It's already the way from God, so we have to be grateful too, yes, the gratitude for ourselves to be even better," he continued.

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Not only that but his name was also dragged because of drug abuse cases. Unlike the first time, he was declared not to use drugs. According to him, it is not something to regret.

"Actually, if we talk about regret, we really shouldn't, because it has happened and the decision why we didn't think about it well beforehand. But what we have to think about in the future is how this doesn't happen again," he said.

This process of self-improvement was difficult for the actor who was born on July 10. The reason is, he had studied religion but at one point he also found it difficult.

“Once, but at that time, as a Muslim, I thought that saying the name of Allah was very difficult. Even though I have learned that much, the level of learning is still not high, but I know that it is quite enough. That much and I can't do it yet," he recalls.

"If we are really called, where are we going to enter, we will know. By not mentioning his name, the creed, and other things, we must bear extraordinary risks alone. We are not necessarily strong enough to endure the torture of the grave," continued Gary.

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

But that moment did not make him give up. Gary Iskak feels that he is constantly reminded of God and to continue worshiping and starting small habits.

"Always means that we never stop even though we fall and get up again. The important thing is when we fall, we don't forget Allah so we can get up again," he said again.

Those periods of coma made him aware of God's love. The 48-year-old actor also feels how the prayers of the people around him can make him passionate about life.

"When I fell sick yesterday, it was the most beautiful. Because I really felt there that I was given the opportunity to live again. As for the others, they are still here in the world. At that time, there is a moment, I am in a different world," he said.

“Mother, in-laws, and children who can make me wake up again. In my heart I said I still have dependents for my mother and children, so I asked for the opportunity to live again. Thank God, I am still alive up to now," said Gary Iskak.

Focus Back on Acting

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Gary Iskak returned to acting and focused on horror films. In 2022, he starred in Trah 7 and Uti Deng Keke. Later this year he chose the film Pesugihan: Bersekutu dengan Iblis as his newest film.

"If the problem of work and filming is indeed part of the fortune, but the problem of being able to be given an opportunity is a miracle that not everyone can get. Some really can't go back, some come back but it's not perfect, and some come back to be repaired. I'm one of them so just do it," he replied.

Going through a series of ups and downs in life made Gary Iskak want to repent and live sincerely. He realizes he is far from perfect but he wants to try to be a better person.

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

"Just get better, I don't want to be always adventurous. After all, because we are not only living here, the longer one is there. And the closest thing to life is death. What are we doing? If we don't look for extraordinary acts of worship," explained Richa Novisha's husband.

"If you talk about it in detail, everyone will say the same thing. I was also given an extraordinary warning that I was about to pass too, which was already extraordinary for me if I didn't think about it before. Now I've thought about it. Wow crazy not everyone can get this opportunity. That's the real point," he said.

Towards the month of Ramadan, Gary Iskak wants to become a devout Muslim starting from alms and obligatory worship. Everything in this world is the responsibility of someone who will be questioned in the hereafter.

Gary Iskak (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

“What are you chasing in this world for? At the end of the world is death. Yes, now you can also not wait for fasting, but if you get it in the fasting month, yes, Alhamdulillah, it means that in the holy month, all sins are eliminated. If not, fix it better," he said.

"We can't do the same with alms, obligations that are left behind, the whole point is that if we don't carry out what God has given, it's meaningless. Giving alms but not fulfilling obligations is useless. Can't get the value. Everything that we have is God, and what we have is accountable, so what are we going to do now?” concluded Gary Iskak.