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Najib’s ‘kangkung’ statement draws flak from netizens

KUALA LUMPUR — Netizens have criticised Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for his statement that the people are not thankful even though the price of kangkung (water spinach) has gone down.

A meme by a disgruntled netizen on the ‘kangkung’ issue. PHOTO: MALAYSIAN INSIDER

A meme by a disgruntled netizen on the ‘kangkung’ issue. PHOTO: MALAYSIAN INSIDER

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KUALA LUMPUR — Netizens have criticised Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for his statement that the people are not thankful even though the price of kangkung (water spinach) has gone down.

In a video uploaded on to YouTube that has gone viral, Mr Najib, the President of the ruling party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), questioned why the government kept getting blamed every time the prices of goods increased, but was never praised when prices came down.

“When prices of things go up, everything goes up, including sawi (mustard greens) and kangkung. There are times when the prices of vegetables go up and down.

“Today I read in the newspaper that the prices of some things have dropped. The price of kangkung increased before this and now it has gone down.

“When this happens, they don’t want to praise the government. But when it rises, they blame the government … This is not fair as it is due to weather conditions,” Mr Najib was quoted as saying in Malay in the video.

Mr Najib’s comments received flak from users on social networking sites who claimed that the Prime Minister does not understand the hardships faced by the people following rising costs of living.

“I have a lot of kangkung behind my house. I will give it away for free to those who want it,” Facebook user Azizi Ademi was quoted by The Malaysian Insider as saying.

“Only the price of kangkung came down, the rest are still the same,” said Mr Muhd Iqbal. Mr Muhammad Nadzmi, taking a dig at the Prime Minister, referred to him as Winner of the World’s Comedy King, The Malaysian Insider reported.

Since winning a May election, Mr Najib has unleashed a series of cuts to subsidies in a bid to improve state finances and address fiscal risks. The moves have sparked price increases, including a 14 per cent jump in sugar costs in October and an 11 per cent increase in petrol in September. The increase in electricity tariffs, and sugar, water and petrol prices, among other items, has had a knock-on effect leading to price hikes for other goods.

Some Malaysians have already taken part in public protests against the price increases. In December, hundreds gathered in front of the city council office in Kuala Lumpur to rally against an increase in property taxes. On New Year’s Eve, about 4,000 people joined an illegal protest in the capital to demand lower living costs, disrupting a countdown concert, Bernama news agency reported.

Some members of Mr Najib’s Cabinet have also been criticised by netizens for statements that were deemed to be insensitive.

Previously, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hasan Malek had called on Malaysians to switch to fish or meat to check the rise in the price of chicken.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Wahid Omar, in defending the hike in toll rates, said motorists could choose to use toll-free roads if they were upset with the price increase.

Amid mounting criticism of its lavish spending and wastage, Putrajaya recently announced measures including reduced entertainment allowances and a freeze on applications for the renovation of government offices.

However, the opposition has described the cost-cutting measures as a “spontaneous reaction” following reactions to the reduced subsidies.

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