PAS senator draws flak for linking teen suicides to K-dramas
Mohd Apandi Mohamad says suicides among teenagers may be due to influence from South Korean dramas. (iptg.my pic)
PETALING JAYA: A PAS senator has drawn brickbats from netizens and an MP for claiming that Korean dramas and movies are partially to blame for the number of suicides among teenagers.
Mohd Apandi Mohamad reportedly told the Dewan Negara yesterday that almost every South Korean film or drama incorporated elements of suicide, while Malaysian teens were too influenced by these shows.
“Many of these teens who take their own lives, whether you agree or not, most of them are too influenced by films and dramas from Korea.
“When there’s a failure, there’s suicide. Failure, then suicide. Is it because they are too influenced by Korean dramas?” he asked.
Responding to Apandi’s remarks, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii questioned what Korean dramas he was watching, adding that he was not addressing the core issue of suicides.
“This is oversimplifying and downplaying the issue without addressing the root problem and providing the necessary support,” Yii said in a Twitter post.
Apandi also drew strong criticism from netizens, with some describing him as “a joke” and slamming him for his remarks.
Twitter user @ShahkeerahK said there were many other factors that could drive teenagers to suicide, criticizing the PAS man for failing to highlight these issues.
“Peer pressure, academic pressure, family/parents’ issues are among the leading problems of teenage suicide, but you’re not even highlighting these.
“And there are K-dramas that emphasise the importance of mental health, such as the drama ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’,” she added.
@itsclrkhns tweeted: “How to tell you live in a cave without actually telling you live in cave.”
Another netizen, @ronckk, took a sarcastic jibe at the senator, saying he was so influenced by the local superhero movie Cicakman back in 2006 that he “became a lizard after watching” the film.
PETALING JAYA: A PAS senator has drawn brickbats from netizens and an MP for claiming that Korean dramas and movies are partially to blame for the number of suicides among teenagers.
Mohd Apandi Mohamad reportedly told the Dewan Negara yesterday that almost every South Korean film or drama incorporated elements of suicide, while Malaysian teens were too influenced by these shows.
“Many of these teens who take their own lives, whether you agree or not, most of them are too influenced by films and dramas from Korea.
“When there’s a failure, there’s suicide. Failure, then suicide. Is it because they are too influenced by Korean dramas?” he asked.
Responding to Apandi’s remarks, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii questioned what Korean dramas he was watching, adding that he was not addressing the core issue of suicides.
“This is oversimplifying and downplaying the issue without addressing the root problem and providing the necessary support,” Yii said in a Twitter post.
Apandi also drew strong criticism from netizens, with some describing him as “a joke” and slamming him for his remarks.
Twitter user @ShahkeerahK said there were many other factors that could drive teenagers to suicide, criticizing the PAS man for failing to highlight these issues.
“Peer pressure, academic pressure, family/parents’ issues are among the leading problems of teenage suicide, but you’re not even highlighting these.
“And there are K-dramas that emphasise the importance of mental health, such as the drama ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’,” she added.
@itsclrkhns tweeted: “How to tell you live in a cave without actually telling you live in cave.”
Another netizen, @ronckk, took a sarcastic jibe at the senator, saying he was so influenced by the local superhero movie Cicakman back in 2006 that he “became a lizard after watching” the film.
This is what happens when you live in a Musang Cave for 50 years and do nothing.
ReplyDeleteSame same as u been living in a fart filled well!
DeleteJust enjoying that 'ambient' surroundings.
The thing is that the more people like this PAS idiot open their mouths, the more they confirm they have nothing between their ears.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid there is some truth to it, trivial as it may seem.
ReplyDeleteWhat teenagers watch on TV ,or these days on-line, has influence on their thought process, and what seems acceptable or common behaviour.
So when they watch a programme that shows suicide as an option with a difficult life situation, it is bound to have an influence.