Bung Mokhtar defends F-bomb, says to ‘teach’ lesson to churls

The Umno MP remained unapologetic about using profanities in public. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Barisan Nasional (BN) MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin defended his public use of the F-word today on a Twitter follower, saying it was to “teach” a lesson to those who insulted him.

The vocal Kinabatangan MP also said he would be polite to those who acted in a civil manner towards him and would reciprocate disrepectful behaviour.

“He was the one who said it first,” the veteran lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider, referring to the Twitter user identified only as @geminieyes who had used the expletive in their verbal sparring on the microblogging site earlier today over his remarks in Parliament accusing airline tycoon Tan Sri Tony Fernandes of being a thief.

“I said ‘f**k yourself lah... He tweeted me first, so I replied to the person who was rude, I will be rude to him.”

The Umno MP remained unapologetic about using profanities in public, maintaining that he did not see that his behaviour as unbecoming of a parliamentarian as one cannot be tolerant of those who insult him, even on a public platform such as Twitter.

“I do not feel it is right or wrong, but I must teach them who are disrespectful... I cannot be tolerant with those on Twitter who swear at me.

“I do not care. Twitter is not for insults. If they are rude, I will be ruder. I will teach them,” he said.

Earlier this morning, Bung Mokhtar told @geminieyes to “f*** ur self [sic]”.

This came after @geminianeyes had referred to Bung Mokhtar’s remarks about AirAsia boss Fernandes, and told him: “Sebagai seorang rakyat Malaysia (as a Malaysian) SHUT. THE. F***. UP.”

Many Twitter followers were quick to condemn Bung Mokhtar for his behaviour which they said was unbecoming of an MP.

“Congratulations you’ve certainly handled that like a typical street thug,” said one Twitter user identified as @tincancat.

Bung Mokhtar is no stranger to controversy or outrageous remarks.

In 2007, during a heated exchange in the Dewan Rakyat with opposition MPs over a leaky roof in Parliament House, Bung Mokhtar had said: “Mana ada bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor tiap-tiap bulan juga. (Where is the leak? The Batu Gajah MP also leaks every month.)”

Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan and other women MPs were outraged by his comments and he was eventually forced to apologise.

The protagonist in today’s exchange — @geminianeyes — pointed out in subsequent tweets that “at least I know how classy he is as a politician.”

“Side note: I did say f*** to him first, so it’s fair. I suppose holding MPs to a higher standard of behaviour in Malaysia is futile.”

On Wednesday, the outspoken MP had said: “We all know Tony Fernandes is a penyangak(thief). He will want 100 per cent profit in everything.

“I think on behalf of the people of Malaysia, I would say AirAsia can berambus (get out) from the country.”