You can't be a leader if you don't know Psy, declares MCA

Chinese-only party MCA has slammed Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, but this time not for any political differences. His crime is not knowing who Korean pop star Psy was.

For MCA senator Chew Lee Giok, this means that Nik Aziz – named by the prestigious Middle East-based Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre as among the top 500 most influential Muslims in the world – "seriously lacks knowledge on current affairs, world standards and international trends".

"US President Barack Obama has danced the 'Oppa Gangnam Style' which has caught the dance world by storm," said the Wanita MCA secretary general, clearly caught in the frenzied excitement following BN's invitation to the South Korean star to perform in Penang.

"Not only does Nik Aziz not know who PSY is, he is even confused as to whether PSY is male or female. He actually asked why we would listen to a song in a language which we do not understand.

"How can he become a national leader?" thundered Chee in a statement posted on her party's website.

Chee was commenting on a news report of Nik Aziz's response when told of Psy's upcoming Penang concert, which is being seen as a last-ditch effort by MCA to win support for BN among Chinese youths in the state. Nik Aziz had apparently reacted by saying that Psy should cover the 'aurat' - the parts of human body which should be covered in public according to Islam.

But while the aurat applies to both male and female, the MCA senator was not aware of this, probably in keeping with the party leadership's past statements which reflected ignorance about the country's Federal religion.

"Nik Aziz only expects a woman to be 'covered', indicating that his mind is set on regressive ways, and he is seriously out of touch with the world. How can he lead the country towards becoming a more developed nation?" continued Chee in lambasting the Kelantan Menteri Besar.

Chee then tied the issue to what she called "rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution"

"Should Pakatan (Rakyat) ever win federal power, such feudal thinking which is detrimental to the multiracial and multicultural makeup of our country will be implemented unto non-Muslims. In so doing, the rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution will be jeopardised," she added.

'Don't know Psy? So what?'

Meanwhile many readers of news portal Malaysiakini, responding to Nik Aziz's remarks, reacted by saying that there is nothing to be ashamed of in not knowing about Psy .

"If he [Nik Aziz] is oblivious as to who Psy is - I salute him....He's untainted by what this world is going ga ga over," wrote one in comments appended to a news report.

"There is nothing to be embarrassed if one is not up todate with the Korean sensational, singing Gangnam Style...riding on a imagining horse on stage. Ask UMNO PM about his hidden talent!" said another.

"When it comes to the latest music, Nik Aziz is left out. When it comes to personal wealth, Nik Aziz has none. But this honest and sincere man is focused on the people and the state and he wants to make sure that the devil that we know is thrown out," said a reader nicknamed Mushiro.

One reader however said the frenzy over Psy and his dance moves was just a passing fade.

"You know what Nik Aziz; this global 'sensation' is now a semi-god. All must claim that they love him or want to watch him. If they don’t, they will be branded as Ah Beng and Ah Lian. But all these hip people do not know they are actually the victims of mass hypnotisation. I guess it is alright, let it be. These people will grow up eventually just like many of us have grown up with the Beatles, the BeeGees, the Moonwalk, Justin Bieber, and now Gangnam style."

-Harakahdaily