Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s call for his Chinese speaking supporters to name two pandas that would be loaned to Malaysia has drawn a slew of humorous reactions.
In his Chinese Facebook page today, where he calls himself Ah Jib Gor or ‘Brother Jib’, Najib said that the pandas represented warming ties with China.
“Pandas are a nearly extinct species, yet China agreed to loan them to us. It proves China’s trust in us.
“(The pandas) will be an educational experience for Malaysians. It allows us to understand the animals more and increase awareness on conservation work,” wrote Najib.
In his Chinese Facebook page today, where he calls himself Ah Jib Gor or ‘Brother Jib’, Najib said that the pandas represented warming ties with China.
“Pandas are a nearly extinct species, yet China agreed to loan them to us. It proves China’s trust in us.
“(The pandas) will be an educational experience for Malaysians. It allows us to understand the animals more and increase awareness on conservation work,” wrote Najib.
The Environment Ministry yesterday announced that China would be loaning two endangered baby pandas to Malaysia for 10 years to commemorate strong diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
However, the premier’s serious message was met with ridicule by many people who commented on his Facebookpost, mostly arguing that the exercise was a waste of money.
However, the premier’s serious message was met with ridicule by many people who commented on his Facebookpost, mostly arguing that the exercise was a waste of money.
According toThe Star, Chinese newspapers reported in April that Malaysia would spend RM20 million for the upkeep of the pandas.
Some took the opportunity to pick on the premier and his wife, with names such as ‘cincin dan beg beg (rings and handbags)’, ‘Altantuya and Scorpene’ and ‘Rara and Suahsuah’, among others.
Tigers vs pandas
Others suggested names that had to do with current affairs by making references to the Bersih 2.0 and anti-rare earth refinery movement.
Such names included ‘Yellow and Green’ and ‘Si Kuning dan Sang Hijau’.
Some felt that charity should start at home, urging the premier to first take care of Malaysia’s tiger population.
“Ah Jib Gor, why don’t we take care of our tigers instead and loan them to other countries. That would be better,” wrote Pau Shan.
A few more used the opportunity to make fun of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) controversy.
“Wondering (if) those pandas live in condominiums as our ‘high-class’ cows did,” wrote Chong Wei Chun.
“Lembu pun tak boleh jaga. Najib, u nak panda? Kesian panda tu(You can’t even take care of cows and now you want pandas? Pity the panda),” wrote Aun Huang Long.
Some shared concern over the safety of the pandas due to Malaysia’s poor record when it comes to maintenance culture.
An erosion of deference
One commenter said that no insurance company would dare to insure the two animals.
“Dear pandas: Once you set foot in Malaysia, please be careful,” wrote Timothy Yong.
At press time, most of 219 comments are from those who tried to ridicule or criticise the government, only around 10 are giving serious suggestions.
These include ‘baba nyonya’, ‘tian tian mi mi’ (sweet) and ‘rasa sayang’.
Ibrahim Suffian (right), the head of independent pollsters Merdeka Centre, said that the reactions showed that the younger generation tends to be more critical and cynical.
“It points to the erosion of the sense of deference towards leaders,” he said when contacted.
He explained that this is helped by the fact that youths have assumed that they have a sense of anonymity, which he described cause a “misplaced sense of freedom”.
Asked if Najib’s attempt to engage Chinese youths through Facebook has failed to achieved its objectives, Ibrahim said the efforts were commendable, but he has yet to change the perception of his target audience.
Some took the opportunity to pick on the premier and his wife, with names such as ‘cincin dan beg beg (rings and handbags)’, ‘Altantuya and Scorpene’ and ‘Rara and Suahsuah’, among others.
Tigers vs pandas
Others suggested names that had to do with current affairs by making references to the Bersih 2.0 and anti-rare earth refinery movement.
Such names included ‘Yellow and Green’ and ‘Si Kuning dan Sang Hijau’.
Some felt that charity should start at home, urging the premier to first take care of Malaysia’s tiger population.
“Ah Jib Gor, why don’t we take care of our tigers instead and loan them to other countries. That would be better,” wrote Pau Shan.
A few more used the opportunity to make fun of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) controversy.
“Wondering (if) those pandas live in condominiums as our ‘high-class’ cows did,” wrote Chong Wei Chun.
“Lembu pun tak boleh jaga. Najib, u nak panda? Kesian panda tu(You can’t even take care of cows and now you want pandas? Pity the panda),” wrote Aun Huang Long.
Some shared concern over the safety of the pandas due to Malaysia’s poor record when it comes to maintenance culture.
An erosion of deference
One commenter said that no insurance company would dare to insure the two animals.
“Dear pandas: Once you set foot in Malaysia, please be careful,” wrote Timothy Yong.
At press time, most of 219 comments are from those who tried to ridicule or criticise the government, only around 10 are giving serious suggestions.
These include ‘baba nyonya’, ‘tian tian mi mi’ (sweet) and ‘rasa sayang’.
Ibrahim Suffian (right), the head of independent pollsters Merdeka Centre, said that the reactions showed that the younger generation tends to be more critical and cynical. “It points to the erosion of the sense of deference towards leaders,” he said when contacted.
He explained that this is helped by the fact that youths have assumed that they have a sense of anonymity, which he described cause a “misplaced sense of freedom”.
Asked if Najib’s attempt to engage Chinese youths through Facebook has failed to achieved its objectives, Ibrahim said the efforts were commendable, but he has yet to change the perception of his target audience.
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