PAS duo downplay criticisms, dep min says 'advising' journo to use Malay

Two PAS leaders under fire over their treatment of journalist Minderjeet Kaur, who had attempted to seek their comments over the Kedah government’s move to end gambling licences in the state, has downplayed criticisms raised by journalist groups and others.

Speaking in an interview with online portal MalaysiaGazette, Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim insisted he was merely “advising” the journalist to pose her question, initially addressed to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad, in Malay rather than English.

“I understand her reason for asking in English. I asked her, ‘Are you Malaysian?’ I was also asking in English. She said ‘I am Malaysian.’ So I responded, ‘Can we speak in Malay?’ That’s it.

“I am a Malaysian and we are trying to uplift Malay as the national language. So I advised her. At that time the Free Malaysia Today journalist was still speaking in English,” said the Pendang MP.

Awang noted that Minderjeet had asked him to respect her but he insisted she must first show him respect by speaking in Malay.

He also claimed journalists have a duty to help politicians or MPs to improve their usage of Malay and ultimately defend its status as the national language.

“Maybe she feels I am bullying her. That is my normal tone... even in parliament. But I think (other) journalists know that has always been my character.

“For those who know me well, I am a funny person,” he said.

'Art'

At the same time, Awang also defended Idris, who had responded to Minderjeet’s question with another question of his own, on whether she could tolerate it if her husband is a gambler.

“Answering a question with another question is an art... it’s not like answering an examination,” he added.

Minderjeet had said the issue had nothing to do with her family but Awang today insisted that gambling has a direct negative impact on all families and society.

He also claimed that Minderjeet had asked a provocative question by seeking clarification from Idris over his statement that the gambling ban will be well accepted in Kedah, as it has been proven in Kelantan and Terengganu, two other PAS-led states.

“The reporter asked ‘How do you (Idris) know?’ and for me, that is an inappropriate question because it (gambling ban) has been well accepted in Kelantan and Terengganu,” said Awang.

Separately, Idris dismissed a call from Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar for him to openly apologise to Minderjeet and her family.

“Thank you Batu Gajah, even though this issue is not within the context of what we have been discussing.

“I personally feel there were no provocative elements. That’s it,” said Idris in response to Sivakumar who stood up and interjected during his winding-up speech in Parliament today.

Earlier today, an aide to Idris had defended his boss and accused Minderjeet of attempting to portray PAS in a bad light.

Following the incident, journalist groups Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm), National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) and Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IOJM) had separately defended Minderjeet’s right to ask questions on a matter of public interest. - Mkini