KUALA LUMPUR – Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi allegedly blasted photographers as they snapped pictures of his arrival at Parliament, today.
The minister allegedly singled out one photographer – Free Malaysia Today’s Mogan Villavan – for doing his job.
“Why are you taking my pictures? You better get lost!” he allegedly said to Mogan.
Another photographer – the Malay Mail’s Yusof Mat Isa – told reporters at Parliament’s lobby that he also heard Mohamaddin utter the words “rubbish” and “idiots” at them.
All five photographers present were shocked at being verbally attacked by the Lahad Datu Member of Parliament (MP).
During Parliamentary sessions, photographers are tasked with, among other duties, taking photographs of all MPs as they enter and leave the Dewan Rakyat.
The incident was later brought up by a reporter during a press conference at Parliament by Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, at which Mohamaddin was present.
“We just want an explanation from the minister on why he called the media personnel ‘idiots’ when they were doing their jobs?” the reporter asked.
But Mohamaddin denied he had uttered such words.
“I did not say that. When? You show me proof that I said that,” he said.
One hour after the press conference, Mohamaddin met with the media to clear the air.
“I didn’t say the word ‘idiot’. It (was) not me. I never said that and ‘rubbish’. What the hell is that?
“I remember only one photographer coming to me, taking my picture. Then I told him ‘That’s it’. But I never said ‘rubbish, idiot’.
“Don’t get it wrong. I didn’t say anything. If I said it, I (would admit it),” Mohamaddin added.
– NST
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