Animal crossing remark sparks verbal jibe in Malaysian lower house
The exchange on Monday (Aug 4) began when Ahmad Fadhli called on the government to consider building a new highway linking Gerik in Perak to Jeli in Kelantan under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
He said the current route, Federal Route 4, also known as the East-West Highway, was a narrow two-lane road without a divider, prone to accidents and often used by roaming elephants.
Mohd Sany then stood up to ask why the project was not pursued when Perikatan Nasional (PN) was in power.
'I just want to ask Pasir Mas, earlier you mentioned elephants, but you didn't mention apes and goats.
'Also, didn't you ask for this highway when your coalition was in government?' he said.
The remarks came amid ongoing controversy surrounding Ahmad Fadhli's recent Facebook post, which depicted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and two regional leaders as caricatures of animals. He has been urged to apologise for allegedly mocking Malaysia's efforts to broker peace between Thailand and Cambodia.
Ahmad Fadhli responded by saying the question matched the person asking it.
'Those animal names are quite fitting. You can include them in Hulu Langat's speech next time. Sometimes, the question really does reflect the person asking it,' he said.
The comment triggered a row, with Mohd Sany demanding a retraction.
'I asked respectfully. We're friends. You're from PAS, an Islamic party. That comment was rude and inappropriate,' he said.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul then stepped in, saying that: 'There's no need to talk about goats, camels, monkeys or cows. Everyone, sit down and carry on with the debate.'
Ahmad Fadhli then resumed his speech, criticising the lack of clear allocations for Kelantan in the 13MP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Commentary: Anwar holds his ground by seizing eleventh-hour deals
KUALA LUMPUR: In politics, as in opera, nothing is over till the fat lady sings. Perhaps no one knows this better than seasoned politician and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Anwar administration has been under both internal and external pressure. Controversy surrounded the government's failure to fill vacancies in the country's highest courts, triggering allegations last month that Mr Anwar was interfering with the judiciary. Hundreds of lawyers thronged the streets of Putrajaya in protest, walking under the midday sun to hand over a memorandum calling for action, transparency and a Royal Commission of Inquiry. On Jul 1, Malaysia expanded its sales and services tax (SST) to more categories of goods and services. Though selective, the changes created public uproar and ammunition for the opposition to use against Mr Anwar's administration. Also in early July, the US raised Malaysia's tariff rate by 1 percentage point to 25 per cent, even after Putrajaya's efforts to negotiate with Washington. Sensing an opening, 100-year-old former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad went for the jugular, calling for Mr Anwar to step down. The opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional, capitalised on this wave of dissatisfaction by organising the 'Turun Anwar' (Step Down Anwar) rally on Jul 26. Meanwhile, long-simmering tensions between Cambodia and Thailand escalated when the two countries exchanged fire, putting Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship to the test. Murphy's Law ran in full: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. But the story did not fully play out until the eleventh hour. ANWAR'S TRUMP CARD The appointments of neutral candidates to the top judicial posts, including former deputy minister Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, did enough to quell dissent, though questions on judicial independence remained. On the economic front, the Anwar administration rolled out measures to support citizens, such as a one-off RM100 (US$24) cash handout to all adult Malaysians and an additional public holiday. While the reactions to these measures were at best mixed, the lukewarm Turun Anwar rally ended up making Mr Anwar look better. Turnout was significantly lower than what a few opposition lawmakers predicted, and it was concentrated among the opposition's Malay supporters. Without broad-based support, a protest might prove counterproductive to the organisers. The trump card for Mr Anwar, however, was his role in mediating the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. The prime ministers of the two countries convened in Malaysia and signed an unconditional ceasefire agreement, after five days of fighting. Isolated skirmishes continued the next day, with both countries accusing the other of flagrant violations. But regional military commanders came together to maintain the ceasefire deal. Defence attaches agreed to meet in Malaysia, and direct communication lines were established in August. Displaced civilians began returning home. In the end, the ceasefire held. THE IMPORTANCE OF ELEVENTH-HOUR DEALS As ASEAN's two largest trade partners, the US and China are undeniably important in keeping the peace in Southeast Asia. But Mr Anwar's role was essential as ASEAN chair for 2025, and his diplomatic success commands confidence and credibility for the region. On Aug 1, the US announced that it will decrease Malaysia's tariff rate from 25 per cent to 19 per cent. The 19 per cent rate does not give Malaysia a comparative advantage over other Southeast Asian countries, but with an equal rate imposed on Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, it gives ASEAN reason to unite and cooperate on trade. The Trump-Anwar phone call on Jul 31 seemed to indicate that the ceasefire deal had a positive effect – President Donald Trump even committed to attending the ASEAN summit in October. It remains uncertain if foreign policy has much effect on domestic politics in ASEAN – it rarely has in the past. But we live in different times. Geopolitics, tariffs and armed conflicts are becoming the norm.
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
Cambodia PM says he has nominated Donald Trump for Nobel Prize
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet attends the retreat session of the 45th ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Cambodia's prime minister said on Thursday he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, lauding his "extraordinary statesmanship" in halting a border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. Hun Manet made the announcement in a Facebook post late on Thursday, accompanied by a letter he said had been sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee hailing Trump's intervention as an example of his "exceptional achievements in de-escalating tensions in some of the world's most volatile regions". "This timely intervention, which averted a potentially devastating conflict, was vital in preventing a great loss of lives and paved the way towards the restoration of peace," the Cambodian leader wrote in the letter. It was a July 26 call by Trump to the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia that broke the deadlock in efforts to end some of the heaviest fighting between the neighbours in recent history, Reuters has reported. That led to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on July 28. The two countries agreed on Thursday to ensure no reigniting of hostilities and to allow observers from Southeast Asia. In total, 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced by a five-day conflict that started with small arms fire and quickly escalated into heavy artillery and rocket fire, then Thailand's deployment hours later of an F-16 fighter jet for air strikes. The nomination had been expected after Cambodia's deputy prime minister last week announced the plan, while thanking Trump for a tariff of 19% on Cambodian imports by the United States - sharply reduced from the previously threatened 49% that he said would have decimated its vital garment manufacturing sector. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Liquor licences for F&B, nightlife venues extended to 4am in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay Singapore Chikungunya cases in Singapore double; authorities monitoring situation closely Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree on Asean observers monitoring truce, but fundamental differences remain Asia Trump ratchets up tariff pressure on India, sparking despair among exporters and growth fears Singapore CDC and SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDCs Asia Australia's purchase of Japanese frigates signals a new era for Indo-Pacific security Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award. REUTERS
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
India bans 25 books in contested Kashmir for ‘secessionism'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The ban listed 25 books it said 'have been identified that propagate false narrative and secessionism'. SRINAGAR, India - Indian authorities in Kashmir have banned 25 books, including a piece of work by Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, saying the titles 'excite secessionism' in the contested Muslim-majority region. The government order accuses the writers of propagating 'false narratives' about Kashmir, 'while playing a critical role in misguiding the youth, glorifying terrorism and inciting violence' against the Indian state. It follows orders in February when the authorities seized Islamic literature from bookshops and homes. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947, and both claim the Himalayan territory in full. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency since 1989 against Indian rule of Kashmir, demanding independence or its merger with Pakistan. The order was issued on Aug 5 – the six-year anniversary of New Delhi's imposition of direct rule – although the ban took time to be brought to wider attention. Chief cleric and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the ban 'only exposes the insecurities and limited understanding of those behind such authoritarian actions'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Singapore Wastewater overflow in Bedok and Chai Chee due to choked sewer at BTO worksite: PUB Singapore Teen's love of dance powers her through cancer to perform at NDP2025 Singapore Jail for driver who drove over leg of special needs woman in accident on church driveway Business S'pore firm looks to buy SMEs lacking successors, launches CEO training programme to foster renewal Singapore Ex-Hyflux director fined $90k over water company's failure to disclose information on Tuaspring Asia Kpods, zombie oil or etomidate? A new name may help Hong Kong curb its youth drug crisis World Trump's 100% semiconductor tariffs may hit chipmakers in Singapore, other SEA nations 'Banning books by scholars and reputed historians will not erase historical facts and the repertoire of lived memories of people of Kashmir,' Dr Farooq added. In November 2024, Kashmir elected its first government since it was brought under New Delhi's direct control, as voters backed opposition parties to lead its regional assembly. But the local government has limited powers and the territory continues, for all practical purposes, to be governed by a New Delhi-appointed administrator. The ban listed 25 books it said 'have been identified that propagate false narrative and secessionism', including Roy's 2020 book of essays, Azadi: Freedom, Fascism, Fiction. Roy, 63, is one of India's most famous living authors, but her writing and activism, including her trenchant criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, has made her a polarising figure at home. Other banned books include titles by academics, including one of India's foremost Constitution experts, the late A.G. Noorani, and Professor Sumantra Bose, who teaches political science at the London School of Economics. Historian Siddiq Wahid said the edict contravenes the Constitution, 'which allows for the freedoms of speech and expression'. 'The list of banned books numbers several that are authored and published by individuals and institutions whose reputations depend on supplying evidence, logic and argument towards the conclusions they draw,' he told AFP. 'Does that count for anything any more?' AFP
