What I think of Jessie Ooi (with related Videos)

Coming across a post on Sin Chew Jit Poh (scroll below), urging the people especially the cyber-citizens to forgive Jessie Ooi caught me by surprise. Unable to follow the debate televised live on national TV as it was in Mandarin, I was wondering what was the fuss all was about?

Further reading of her open statements to the public and the ugly comments that followed had me stupefied. The Chinese, presumably the commentators are really Chinese, are really crucifying her without mercy.

How can the Chinese do this to one of their own kind? After all, she is only human and her only mistake was the series of silly questions she posed about tow trucks and the assessment rates! What’s the big deal?

And why are they calling her Ms Tow Truck? To me, she looks quite attractive actually. Kinda remind me of Angelina Jolie minus the mike she’s holding. Not in any way like a tow truck. She’s got flair, long flowing hair and sweet lips, perfect for a shampoo advertisement, if I may add. But then I admit I have always liked the Chinese lasses, but sad to say, till today have not summoned up the courage to ask one out for a date.

Explanations made the people even angrier

Anyway back to the subject matter of Jessie Ooi; my initial thought is that she looks quite innocent to be an inexperienced politician out to impress her boss Chua Soi Lek. In her statement after the incident, she had made a halfhearted attempt to apologize, hoping to raise public sympathy and understanding, while exhorting the public to leave her and her family alone.

Obviously horrified at the torrent of vulgar outrage pouring into her Facebook pages, she has made Police Reports and has threatened to sue for defamation.

However, her first statement only served to inflame the already sizzling anger, with enraged commentators mocking her unrepentant attitude and the way she tried to wriggle out of her predicament by lamely trying to lay the blame on the DAP. Kinda’ remind me of Hassan Ali when he was caught in a similar fix.

Yes, we shouldn’t involve her family or children. It’s not her fault and neither is it her family's. She has every right to ask questions at the debate. The crowd could have over-reacted and given her a rough time but that could be because of her political affiliation to the MCA.

The wrong 'brand'

No doubt, Jessie also benefits from the heightened profile and is now basking in fame that she would never otherwise have gained if not for the fact that she had also hit out at Lim Guan Eng and DAP. But this is actually an eye-opener for her and other young aspiring politicians.

Representing the right 'brand' is important. Choose the wrong one like the MCA and you get smeared and stereotyped into the same mold as Chua Soi Lek and believe me, no one wants to be like CSL!

Oh yes! The debate was in Mandarin. But if it was in English I think the Indians and Malays would join in the chorus to pick her off too. Again, for the same reasons. Sometimes public reaction on such scale is better than any so-called independent polls and popularity surveys. This is spontaneous, off-the-cuff, knee-jerk, Honest-Injun response.

You would do wise to take heed, my dear Jessie. Life is a long journey and there are up and downs along the way but keep savvy but don't stay on the wrong path for too long or it will be tough to make a serious return - ask Dr M, whom people are now saying wants to become prime minister again.

'Ah Ying'?

Anyway, not to be outdone, Jessie issued a second statement to defend her innocence, which caused even more public uproar.

It’s not so much about the silly questions she posed, but the uncouth way she presented herself in public that left the audience shell-shocked, the commentators roared. What’s worse was the tone of her voice (near screaming) and the way she waggled her fingers while debating with a fellow politician on live television! That's why they say anyway, my dear, so sorry to be so rude on your personal traits.

To be fair, after sifting through the comments, quite frankly, the people were genuinely taken aback at her impoliteness and her uncouth attitude. She portrayed herself as the the female Ah Beng - is it Ah Ying? - and that was part of the basis for the furious backlash.

Sad to say, she doesn’t seem to realize the combination of factors for her current infamy. At this point in time, she may even be congratulating herself - no publicity is bad publicity! But I am old-fashioned, I disagree. I rather do without this sort of fleeting notoriety and neither do I want to be called an 'Ah Ying' for that matter.

Don't be used by others in the MCA

To recap, the topic of the debate was: ‘The Chinese at the Political Crossroad.’ Sincerely, what have tow trucks and assessment rates got to do with that topic? And the ‘half Penangite’ attempt was simply hilarious!! Half of the Penangites on Penang Island are still laughing away, or so I hear!

Sad to say, the episode is likely to cost BN a lot of votes for Selayang, where she is an MCA Beliawanis member. Someone has also retorted that she deserves an Oscar Award for her sterling 'performance'.

MCA leaders were startled at the response and initially thought it was a good thing - much like a corpse given a new lease of life. But they are now feeling a bit embarrassed and avoiding the issue, reluctant to come to her defense.

Many believe that she should just tone down, be humble, apologize and put it behind her. Stop issuing a third statement - unless it is very well-thought-out and sincere -  and close her Facebook account until the coast is clear and hope it will blow over soon. Any more clumsy attempts to explain her actions will only fan the flames of disgruntlement and may permanently blight her still-young career.

Incidentally, Jessie must take care not to be used by others in the MCA - it is her name and career on the line here.

Arrogance in politics is always asking for trouble

This is indeed a lesson for her that arrogant actions - yes, she was arrogant - can trigger an ugly side in people who normally may be very polite. The herd instinct once roused is very powerful.  She should know by now that unlike the Malays, the Chinese are not so forgetful and she wouldn’t want to be in the bad books of the community if she values her political career.

Meanwhile, let’s forgive her and leave her alone for a while. Unless, of course, she stirs up another provocative statement. We believe she has a lot on her mind right now. If the response had been public adulation, she can bet her last dollar Chua Soi Lek and team would rush to garland her and claim the victory as theirs. But if the response is like it is now - terrible! - it looks like she may have to sit on the 'cold bench' for a while.

Also, in the meantime, can someone please ask that cowardly Chua Soi Lek to release the transcript of the debate and not sit on it for so long? I am seldom so blunt, but this is the outside of enough. If CSL doesn't dare to release the transcripts, just announce he won't but don't get a minion to lodge police reports against the DAP for asking. Isn't that simply crazy?

Finally, remember that tow trucks in the city are not just for clamping vehicles but they also play an important role when your car seizes up in high-traffic roads like Jalan Ampang or along the highway. Do give the operators some credit.

Malaysia Chronicle