PETALING JAYA: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has courted flak over his command of English.
This follows a video depicting him as giving a speech in English during an international defence dialogue in Singapore had made rounds on social media.
Among the first to point out Mohamad’s poor English skills were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in a Facebook post on Monday (June 3).
“Aside from making jokes in Malaysia, he is now ‘in action’ in an international stage?” Dr Wee said sarcastically.
Dr Wee took a dig at Mohamad for referring to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a “him” during his speech at the 18th IISS Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) last weekend.
“Did Mohamad think that the New Zealand Prime Minister was a man? She is a woman lah!
Dr Wee took a dig at Mohamad for referring to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a “him” during his speech at the 18th IISS Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) last weekend.
“Did Mohamad think that the New Zealand Prime Minister was a man? She is a woman lah!
Without mincing his words, Dr Wee questioned Mohamad’s logic in saying that in order to prevent further terrorist attacks, the authorities should identify the parents of these perpetrators.
“Terrorism isn’t inherited. Why should their parents be identified to combat terrorism activities?”
In Mohamad’s speech in verbatim, the Parti Amanah Negara president said: "We have to fight with them in soft way and hard way. But, I’m very appreciate and the role of the prime minister of New Zealand, how she faced with the accident in New Zealand. We appreciate him.
“That is the way the world leader should behave when that thing happen… We also have to study deep inside this terrorist, who’s the father and mother. Our intelligence must expose who their father and mother, then we can reduce their activities throughout the world,” he added.
At the same time, Dr Wee criticised Mohamad for claiming that Malaysia cannot afford to fight with China because Chinese Coast Guards are "bigger" than Malaysian warships.
“Is Mohamad trying to say that the Royal Malaysian Navy is incompetent, weak, and hopeless?” he asked.
Dr Wee advised Mohamad that he should do his homework and make adequate preparations for his speech, if he were to speak in an international dialogue in future.
“If you are too busy with work, then just read the speech text provided by Wisma Putra or the agencies concerned.”
He also said that the contents of Mohamad’s speech should have been scrutinised by an expert in the Defence sector, so that his points are logical to the audience.
“Most importantly, elements of foolish jokes such as ‘inheriting terrorism’, Malaysian Defence has no capability, should not be said,” he added.
Social media users were quick to criticise Mohamad, with Zant Ibrahim saying that it is a “sad day for Malaysia”, while Ng Chee Joo pointed out that the New Malaysia era consisted of “kindergarten ministers”. -Star
I would have no problem at all understanding his speech if I were a delegate at the event. His simple conversational English, though not completely grammartically correct, is better than one that is presented in Bahasa ( to be translated into English ) , or one that is read from a prepared text, for I think it would have less warmth than was shown to us in this face-to- audience situation. I commend him for his effort instead, knowing that English is not his strenght. No one there would think too much about that , and I am not embarrassed. Well done for being brave, Mat Sabu. As for this Wee guy, he should be ashamed for trying to score something, whatever it is --and I don't care to know, never had.
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