How MPs and ADUNs should not be RUDE

How not to pass off a controversy



From Clement Stanley

I was once told that if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

This would be my advice to minister Idris Ahmad and deputy minister Awang Hashim of PAS who could not take the pressure when pressed for a response from reporter Minderjeet Kaur of FMT on the Kedah government’s decision to close all 4D shops in the state.

Minderjeet had merely sought their views on the decision taken by the PAS-led Kedah government.

Why was there a need to be confrontational when there was absolutely no need to? The reporter was merely doing her job. She was just seeking a response from them. After all, MIC, MCA, DAP and a host of others had slammed the Kedah government on its decision.

So, what was wrong in wanting to hear from the PAS leadership about what the party felt about it?

Wasn’t Minderjeet giving them the opportunity to be heard? And for that, you want to be obnoxious towards her? She wasn’t deliberately provoking anybody, you know.

I think more reporters should ask PAS leaders the same question because despite their leadership repeatedly stating that gambling is against Islam, they are today very much a part of the previous Perikatan Nasional administration that allowed additional 4D draws to be held.

This was after the Pakatan Harapan government took the bold step to reduce the number of special draws when it was in power. So why this reaction towards an honest question?

Whether the spouse of the reporter does punt at 4D outlets or not is nobody’s business. So what if he does? Is that reason enough to ban gambling and punish the entire people of Kedah?

If you are so gung-ho on punishing the people of Kedah, why not apply the same and extend it to the entire country? Close all 4D outlets and not just in selected states.

I am curious. Did Idris actually commission a survey among non-Muslims to gauge whether they were happy or not with the decision to ban gambling? He made a sweeping statement by saying that even the non-Muslims are against gambling. Prove it.

But, judging from the response from MIC, MCA, DAP and others, it does not appear to be so. I think the only way the PAS leadership can do something about gambling in this country – since they now claim that non-Muslims are against gambling – is to ban it completely. It’s a straightforward decision, no?

As for Awang, just because I choose not to ask a question in Bahasa, you question my status as a Malaysian? Where does it say anywhere in the Constitution that you have to speak Bahasa to qualify as a Malaysian?

Some of us were born in an era when Bahasa was not widely used. Does that make us any less Malaysian than Awang?

Our forefathers came to this country to work in rubber estates and tin mines centuries ago. We are all descendants of these migrants, just as some of the leaders in this country are. We have been here for generations contributing towards nation building. Our forefathers slogged just as we do.

Our forefathers fought invaders. They fought the Japanese and the Communists with their blood, sweat and tears to defend this nation, and you have the audacity to ask whether or not we are Malaysians when we choose to ask a question in English and not in Bahasa?

If you do not understand what you are being asked in English, there is always a nicer way of saying it without being rude and condescending.

All politicians must know they are public figures. They are fully aware that when they took up their appointments as ministers and deputy ministers, they would surely be asked uncomfortable questions with regards to government policies. Either they choose to answer in a civil manner immediately or politely say that they are sorry but they have nothing to say at the moment. No one is holding a gun to your head for an immediate answer. So why behave in such a manner?

You may be in a position of power now. You may be a person of privilege. You are enjoying your VIP status for now. But don’t abuse it, please. Greater men than you have fallen along the way. Nothing in life is permanent.

*********

kt notes:

Remember Rais Yatim? A long time ago he was Minister of ... I think ... Information (??). During a press conference of sorts(?) he chewed up a Chinese-Malaysian reporter for asking him a question in English, and asked rather aggressively why the young reporter didn't speak in Bahasa. Following an awkward pause (for the reporter) Rais then seemingly relented and said (words to that effect): OK, I'm now in a different mode - go ahead and ask me the question again.

There was Rais, a well-educated scholar, a graduate of Sing University with also a doctorate from King's College, fluent in at least 3 languages - Malay, English and Cantonese - with such a ferocious nationalistic (and completely unnecessary) behaviour towards a Chinese-Malaysian reporter when he could have easily fielded the question (in English or even Cantonese). Why?

Rais was/is of course in a completely different class from the two pariah-ish PAS ministers, but yet he had behaved in a similar way, a strange behaviour when one considers how well learned and fluent in multi-lingo he was/is.

I had mulled over that strangeness and speculated that it was the 'Maharajah' complex, the need to talk down on people you don't or may not like, and in a way where you also put them in their weakest position, or bully them into a weak position (Malay minister excoriating a Chinese-Malaysian reporter for speaking in English).

The 'Maharajah' complex obviously has been inherited from our Malaysian Hindu & Caste-system past. It works in a bizarre way in Malaysia (and I dare say in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Paki also). When politicians have been elected to be the people's representatives, they (after mucho bodeking the voters prior to the election) suddenly become 'maharajahs' expecting and silently demanding to be pampered in turn, bodek-in-turn and served by obsequious fawning rakyat in turn.

Of Malaysians, most Chinese Malaysians are quite clueless to the MPs/ADUNs' 'social class' expectations, wakakaka, hence their frequent clumsy blundering social etiquette and protocol within the Malaysian social environment.

Guanee among several other blundering Chinese Malaysians sure  knows who to bodek or not to bodek, wakakaka

I suspect that Chinese Malaysian reporter had failed to demonstrate the utmost fawning and obsequious manner when he forwarded a question to Yang Sangat Sangat Behormat (ampun Tuanku) Rais Yatim, wakakaka. And Rais showed his rudeness and "superior" social status to the young brat by his ferocious response (which I deemed as totally unnecessary and quite embarrassing-to-Rais-himself - it showed the ungraciousness of a Malaysian minister).

Then there was Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Chair of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd. Here's a news report by WeirdKaya to illustrate this fkc-ing minister's behaviour:

“China? No Wonder La!” Tajuddin Allegedly Disrespects Chinese Journalist

Cover image via The Vibes & FB

In the accident concerning LRT Kelana Jaya colliding, chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd was noticeably absent from the scene. Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman only made a public appearance earlier today (25 May) in a press conference.

For those unaware of the LRT Kenala Jaya incident:

[BREAKING] Trains collide at LRT Kelana Jaya line, dozens reportedly injured

In the press conference, he explained that he had just finished an appointment with a company in Subang. He further stated that he was preparing for his second dose of vaccine scheduled today.

“However, despite my appointment, I came to the location of the accident first thing this morning,” he informed the public.

Not buying Tajuddin’s reason for his absence, many netizens questioned its relevancy.

Present at the press conference was a journalist from Phoenix InfoNews Channel. She was quick to express her doubt on his statement. Instead of answering her question, Tajuddin replied defensively.

“When I found out even though it was late, I said I would come first thing in the morning. Do you know what ‘first thing in the morning’? Can you speak English? ‘First thing in the morning’ shows how serious I am about the matter.”

Tajuddin then asked the journalist about her place of origin and left a disdain remark:

“China? No wonder lah.”

Before this, his tone of reply to the journalist’s question regarding the current situation of the tunnel where the trains collided, was also controversial.

“Normal… only the two cars together. They kiss each other (laughs).”

Netizens were expressing their dissatisfaction with Tajuddin’s remark.

No sirree, at that embarrassing moment (for him) he was no longer a public servant (or a gracious Malaysian host to a foreigner) but a 'Maharajah' to be pampered and subservient to. Indeed, he was suddenly another 'Maharajah' showing his disdain of (and rudeness towards) a lowly foreign reporter, obviously to cover up his pathetic response to an emergency in his department. 

I would put the two PAS buffoons as in the same lowly class as Tajuddin, but Rais Yatim ...?? Such a learned and well read scholar and a polyglot ... what a shame!