Has Nga Kor Ming ‘sinned’ by display of Islamic image in his “Selamat Berpuasa” greeting?

 

PERHAPS it is not so much the question of can or cannot but one of political correctness that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has again found himself at odds with detractors for his over-exuberance to display his ‘Muslim side’ – a trait possibly attributable to his Kelantan origin.

So soon after having ruffled PAS’ feathers by openly using what is thought to be reserved-only-for-Muslims dhikr phrases “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to God) and “sujud syukur” (prostration of gratitude) in the Dewan Rakyat, the DAP deputy chairman has again displayed similar tendency in his “Selamat Berpuasa” greeting.

In fact, his donning of baju Melayu complete with samping and songkok by the Methodist Christian by faith Teluk Intan MP has been likened to a modern-day deception tactic used by the late People’s Action Party’s (PAP) co-founder Lee Kuan Yew in the 1960s “to penetrate the trust of Singaporean Malays”.

At DAP level, his portrayal of ‘Malay-ness’ can perhaps be matched by Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh who raised eyebrows with her green dots baju kurung and pink scarf while other party leaders sport neutral garbs in their respective “Selamat Berpuasa” greetings.

Even as the choice of garb is well-intentioned to symbolise respect to mark arrival of the holy Ramadan month or to portray a sense of multicultural-ness, political affiliation will ultimately determine perception as to whether Nga and Yeoh have correctly dressed.

‘Buying Malay votes’

While Muslim Madani backers have praised Yeoh as “comel (cute) in her trendy matcha strawberry ” dress to making a good Ramadan headstart and even “to receive hidayah (divine light)”, Nga’s ministerial greeting tended to attract suspicion.

“Heir of Lee Kuan Yew (LKY),” mocked one commenter with another concurring “the same method Lee Kuan Yew used” seemed to be among popular responses in Nga’s post which has garnered 10K likes, 4.4K comments and 428 shares at the time of writing.

“This old tactic will no longer work in 2026. Only during LKY’s era,” reminded one commenter.

Others even likened Nga to a chameleon whose voice and appearance can change while some wondered whether he has been “circumcised”, associated him with the now defunct PKM (Malayan Communist Party) and that he has forgotten “to don a turban”.

In short, the general feel is that Nga is indulging in “play-acting” to deceive the Malays in exchange for their votes.

Truth be told, Nga’s action has also agitated the Chinese community as much as it has irritated his detractors, according to former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

“Because Nga and DAP have long criticised Malay supremacy and are seen as being anti-Malay,” observed the former national unity minister.

Chinese netizens feel that Nga has ‘submitted’ and ‘sold out’ his dignity and principles because he didn’t wear traditional Chinese attire for (his) Chinese New Year posters.

Previously, DAP had discouraged its state assemblymen and MPs from wearing attire that required them to wear the songkok.

Meanwhile, Malay netizens question his sincerity. Some even ask when he will start wearing a turban since the songkok is seen as submission to Malay dominance while the turban represents submission to Islam. 

- focus malaysia