Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin often refers to himself as "Abah" (an affectionate Malay word meaning “father”) when addressing the nation on the Covid-19 situation, but some think he may have gone too far today.
Many commentators online responded poorly when Muhyiddin jokingly threatened to “use the cane” if people won’t comply with government guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.
Some also used the hashtag #MuhyiddinOut to voice their dissatisfaction on Twitter by calling for Muhyiddin’s resignation. As of writing, the hashtag is “trending” on the microblogging platform.
Former deputy defence minister Liew Chin Tong (below) said while Muhyiddin has conceded that a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases is linked to the recent Sabah election, there is still no apology forthcoming.
“We are not here to find fault, but an apology for launching the coup would at least soothe public sentiments, aside from an apology for his ministers who flouted the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“A one-year-old child was reported dead from Covid-19, the youngest to die from the outbreak in this country. And yet the PM saw fit to joke about ‘abah’s rotan’; when he, in fact, should have been cracking the whip on VIPs like minister Khairuddin Aman Razali who failed to adhere to SOPs.
“The alarming rise in cases needs more than threats of a rotan. We need solutions. Muhyiddin’s speech failed to show leadership, which is sorely lacking at such a critical moment for the nation,” he said on Facebook and on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Twitter user @AnuNushi said Muhyiddin’s rotan remark was a distraction.
“The main fact is he didn’t take any responsibility for his gang of campaigning politicians contributing to this new spike in Covid-19 cases. (His speech was a) blame game from the start and a total waste of 30 minutes of our time!” she said.
Netizen @faizalhamssin also criticised that the joke was in poor taste.
“Come on, prime minister’s speechwriter. A one-year-old baby just died of Covid-19. Case count reached an all-time high today.
“People are angry, anxious, afraid. So much uncertainty over the future. This isn't the time for your Abah joke. It's getting old,” he said.
Coventry University communications lecturer Niki Cheong, meanwhile, said there may be more to Muhyiddin’s rotan joke.
“The rotan reference is an ugly reminder that physical abuse of children is still very much part of Malaysian culture. But also, metaphorically, perpetuates the chilling effect that has been sanctioned against Malaysians for decades.
“Just because it sounds like a joke doesn't mean it is one,” he said on Twitter.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin made a televised address to the nation as Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation deteriorated to its worst-ever level.
The address took place just after Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah announced 691 new cases and four deaths today, while active cases reach a new high of 2,936 cases.
Among the deaths reported today include a one-year-old girl who was brought to Semporna Hospital’s emergency department on Oct 1 and died yesterday as her condition worsened.
In his speech, Muhyiddin assured there is no double-standard in enforcing SOP and joked about whipping out the cane if people do not comply.
“What is sorely needed now is for all of us to abide with the SOPs and instructions issued by the government.
“Frontliners from various agencies will be remobilised to public places to ensure compliance.
“If there are those who break the law, compounds and other punishments will be imposed without regard for rank and stature. Forgive me if 'Abah' starts using the cane (rotan)!" he said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.