Wait no more: Culture of delaying events for arrival of VVIPs is uncourteous to others, has to stop

 

MOST Malaysians would have seen, heard or experienced it themselves of events being delayed to accommodate the late arrival of a VVIP (very very important person) guest-of-honour.

In fact, some even consider such delays as a sign of the VVIP’s social stature – the later that special guest arrives, the more important they must be.

Editor’s Note: This came about following a recent controversy whereby Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli was openly criticised on social media for having arrived about 40 minutes late for a Parents Teachers Association (PIBG) event.

This triggered discomfort among parents and attendees – and even pupils who had prepared in advance to perform – by having to wait for the Hang Tuah Jaya MP who is also the PKR Melaka acting chairman.

Eventually, Adli acknowledged and apologised for his tardiness.

Needless to say, the VVIP’s poor time management plays havoc with event organisers to the extent of inconveniencing other attendees, especially when their meal-time is pushed back to an unearthly hour to allow the VVIP to make a grand entrance, give an extra-long speech or mingle with the proletarians.

However, a brave netizen has dared voice an unpopular opinion – stop waiting! As postulated by Fitri, PhD in Fish Genetics (@drfitriyusof), perhaps it is time for Malaysians to take a different tack.

It was surmised that if an invited VVIP was late, the event should kick off as scheduled and an announcement to be made to signal the said VVIP’s arrival when he finally makes an appearance.

Only then would the VVIP be conscious of the inconvenience has caused to hundreds of waiting guests.

This unconventional suggestion to ignore standard Malaysian protocols has elicited 266.5K views on X with a fair number of commenters agreeing with the marine life expert.

Quite a few believed that this was a POPULAR opinion given how tardiness seems to be entrenched in many VVIP’s DNA. It was indeed time to do away with this outdated and outmoded practice (even if organisers have to think twice about doing so).

More than a few highlighted how some VVIPs still contrive to be late even when they have police outriders as escorts.

Enough of the boot-licking culture! It is not as though these VVIPs would spare a thought for Ordinary Joes, declared one non-plussed commenter.

This suggestion to not wait for VVIPs to arrive was seconded by fellow X user Amer Hamzah (@amer7211) who lamented the tardiness of some VVIPs.

Highlighting a dinner event for underprivileged kids, the VVIP arrived at 10pm for an event scheduled to start at 8.30pm, resulting in the poor children being fed at a very late hour.

He, too, believed that such culture needs to be brought to an end.

Do not normalise this behaviour, declared one irate commenter. outlining the different excuses trotted out by these VVIPs for being late.

Some could not care less while others offered flimsy, insecure apologies. A third category was for VVIPs who made a big show for turning up in light of their hectic schedule. All were united in that they showed scant respect for the host or the other invited guests.

In fact, it was suggested that the new normal was to NOT invite VVIPs. Their presence was not essential to the event proceeding seamlessly, it was opined.

However, a few believed that such a practice was deeply ingrained in local culture and would be difficult to change given this was a consequence of the nation’s feudal past.

A change in culture of worshipping VVIPs would thus be wishful thinking? –  Focus Malaysia