The deputy head of the nation’s Islamic party defended the way he chastised a journalist for speaking English yesterday, saying he was trying to “uphold the national language.”
PAS Deputy Minister Awang Hashim and Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad were caught on camera Sunday upbraiding Minderjeet Kaur, a journalist from Free Malaysia Today, who was asking if next year’s statewide ban on gambling in Kedah would be imposed on other states.
“A [Free Malaysia Today] journalist named Minderjeet Kaur asked us the question in English. I understand why she asked the question in English, so I asked her if she is Malaysian, then we can speak Malay,” Awang told Malaysia Gazette in a much less hostile interview yesterday.
“As Malaysians, we must uphold the national language, so I advised her to do so,” he added.
The duo had deflected the question with personal attacks, such as asking about the journalist’s nationality and whether she would tolerate a gambler for a husband before instructing her to ask the question in Malay, all before walking away.
A Twitter user uploaded a video of the encounter, which has since been widely viewed.
In the clip, Minderjeet can be heard saying that “people are worried that it might, you might try to impose this (gambling ban) in other states.”
“Ask in Malay,” Awang said. “Are you Malaysian? If you are Malaysian, speak Malay.”
Minderjeet, who said that she is Malaysian, pleaded with them to not be hostile toward her.
“You should also ask questions properly, you know. If you want me to respect you, you must respect us first,” Awang replied, somewhat smugly.
Minderjeet then repeated her question in Malay.
“Let me ask you first. Would you agree if your husband is a gambler?” Idris responded. He refused to answer the question and walked away
Online, thousands slammed the pair for their behavior.
“Disgusting attitude,” Ayiefrz said in reaction to the video.
“This is unacceptable. It’s okay not to answer questions from a journalist, but attacking media personnel is the lowest form of democracy. You, as a policymaker are answerable to the media (rakyat). Do better PAS!” news anchor Hakim Rahman tweeted.
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