CATCHING UP with Teresa Kok

WHAT was the idea behind the "Onederful" Malaysia Chinese New Year 2014 video that made waves for the wrong reasons?

Every year, since the 2008 Chinese New Year, I try to come out with something for the Chinese community. From distributing greeting cards, pamphlets to producing a video. I like to spread cheer during the festive season. Last year, before the 13th general election, I produced a video clip where I played the role of a hairdresser and the message was that people have the right to change, be it their hairstyle or the government. For this year's CNY celebration, I decided to do a video looking at the Year of The Horse in a humorous way by being a host of a feng shui (geomancy) programme with three feng shui masters. My video clip did not touch on race or religious issues.

But certain parties have accused you of making fun of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, inciting hatred, ridiculing the Lahad Datu intrusion and belittling Malays.

"Siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas" (whoever eats chilli, will feel the heat). I was not making reference to anyone. I never named the three characters in the video after any politician or public figure. The clip only touched on the case of the Taiwanese tourist who was shot dead while his wife was taken hostage by gunmen in Sabah last year but never on the Lahad Datu intrusion. In fact, the clip did not criticise our armed forces.
Are you considering legal action against all those who have defamed you over the video issue?
I will refer to my lawyers on my next course of action. I have to discuss with them.

Threats seem to be nothing new to you. In 2008, two Molotov cocktails were thrown into your family home in Sentul over the Azan (call to prayer) issue (Kok was alleged to have advised a mosque in Puchong not to use loudspeakers while making the Azan) and now the bounty of RM1,200 for anyone who can slap you over the video. What keeps you going?

We need change in the country, that is why I am still fighting. The group that attacked me was just trying to look for issues to make me look bad. I have received vulgar messages from unknown people on my handphone daily ever since Utusan Malaysia published the story on the video and blew it out of proportion. I also believe that there will be more of such attacks in the future. This is all the more reason why we need to change.

The country needs change as you say? What should be done?

Firstly, the DAP wants to work with Barisan Nasional for the betterment of the people. That is why Pakatan Rakyat is calling for a committee on "national consensus". In other advanced countries, leaders from the ruling and opposition coalition could meet and discuss national issues, particularly sensitive issues faced by the nation. - The Sundaily