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Mahathir’s fat-shaming remarks draw backlash

KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has denied that he was guilty of “fat-shaming” after a video of him speaking at a recent rally about corruption went viral and drew criticisms from a government minister.

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attends a meeting of political and civil leaders looking to change the government in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 27, 2016. Reuters file photo

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attends a meeting of political and civil leaders looking to change the government in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 27, 2016. Reuters file photo

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KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has denied that he was guilty of “fat-shaming” after a video of him speaking at a recent rally about corruption went viral and drew criticisms from a government minister.

Dr Mahathir said he was merely answering a question on how he stayed healthy.

“If he or she is gemuk (fat), then he or she will terasa (feel slighted),” he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini. “That’s not my problem.”

A video of Dr Mahathir at a recent rally in Jitra in his home state of Kedah, showed him saying: “I don’t want to become fat like some people….like someone’s wife.”

“When she walks, it’s like a gearbox,” he added, swinging his arms back and forth, robot-like, in the video posted by Malaysiakini, which has been viewed more than 23,000 times.

Dr Mahathir did not name anyone, but it was clear to the audience – who laughed and cheered – that he was alluding to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s wife Rosmah Mansor.

The talk was part of a series of appearances Dr Mahathir has made around the country as he seeks to unseat Mr Najib,

whom he accused of corruption following the news of RM2.6 billion (S$) being deposited into the premier’s private accounts, as well as of financial irregularities in state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

A version of the video uploaded by blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin included the words: “Is this the standard of our statesman? Standard of a party chairman? Mocking someone’s wife? Mocking the body size of bigger people?”

The video, translated and quoted by The Star newspaper, ended with: “Larger-sized people should not support low-standard people like this who like to mock others. Driven by vengeance, Dr Mahathir has gone mad and lost his class and dignity.”

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, a staunch supporter of Mr Najib, had also criticised Dr Mahathir for his comments.

“Bet he gets a free pass for fat shaming a woman. Free pass. All day, everyday,” Mr Khairy said in a tweet.

The tweet included a link to a video which contained an excerpt of Dr Mahathir’s speech.

Dr Mahathir’s comment was part of a longer speech on corruption. “I don’t makan rasuah (take bribes),” he said, in Kedah-accented Malay, playing to the local crowd. “I have enough. Everyone knows I eat very little,” said the trim nonagenarian.

“That’s why I’m thin,” he said, before making his comment about “someone’s wife.”

Dr Mahathir’s comment was too much even for Mr Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, a champion debater and youth chief of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, of which Dr Mahathir is chairman.

“Tun M should not have said that, even as a joke,” he tweeted, in response to Mr Khairy’s tweet. But he added: “Where were you YB when your colleagues Ku Nan & MP rape shamed women as a whole?”

Mr Syed Saddiq was referring to a recent comment by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor – known as Ku Nan - that women should dress shabbily to avoid being harassed.

Dr Mahathir’s remarks have even drawn mixed responses from Malaysians online.

“Isn’t calling out someone’s weight normal in Asian countries? It’s only frowned upon in western cultures,” wrote Ms Syafiqa Syaqireen on Facebook.

Others said Dr Mahathir should not have made the remark.

“Such a shame at this age he only know how to mock people,” wrote Mr Siva Kumar in a Facebook post. “Something wrong with this old man. God knows.” AGENCIES

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