Malaysian deputy minister says potholes fixed after photos of him 'praying' went viral

KUALA LUMPUR — A deputy minister in Malaysia has claimed that potholes at a road in Malacca were fixed within 12 hours because photos of him "praying" in front of the potholes went viral.

In a report by local daily Berita Harian Online on Tuesday (Feb 20), Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said he purposely sat in the middle of the road at Jalan Bukit Berlian in Bukit Rambai, in a praying position because authorities had failed to fix the bad condition of the roads.

"In less than 12 hours after photos of me sitting in front of a pothole were posted for the second time, the road was finally plastered and paved.

"Perhaps the viral method had been more effective," he reportedly said.

The Tangga Batu MP said he uploaded six photos of him at the same location on his Facebook page last week, but no action was taken.

"I work like everyone else, and this matter had prolonged for a long time. I gave them a week and yet as of this (Monday) morning, when I was on the way home from a funeral, I found that the road was still not fixed.

"They cannot possibly wait for something to happen then only they would do something. My work and responsibilities to the people here are done, particularly for those who use this road," he said.

Commenting on the reaction of Malaysians online to the pictures of him "praying", Mr Abu Bakar told the local daily that he had his own ways in solving the people's problems, especially for the residents of Tangga Batu.

On Monday morning, Mr Abu Bakar had posted three photos on his Facebook page which wrote, "10.40am, I pray this morning... Has the mayor? District officer? Councilors? Come to see the potholes on Jalan Bukit Berlian that has gotten wider and used their absolute power to pave this road, before something bad befalls the people of Tangga Batu. 'Ya Allah, please grant the wishes of your servant, amin.' Every day I must work hard. We have to do beneficial work. The people of Tangga Batu is always in my heart."

(10.40pg Saya Berdoa Pagi Ini ...Adalah Dato Bandar ke?...Pegawai Daerah Ke?..Ahli Majlis Ke? Datang Melihat Lubang di Jalan Bukit Berlian Yg Makin Membesar dan Menggunakan Kuasa Mutlak Yg Ada Untuk Menampal Jalan Ini, Sebelum Ada Warga Tangga Batu Yg Patah Kaki Atau Tercedera. "Ya Allah Makbulkan Permohonan Hamba Mu Ini Ameen"..Setiap Hari Saya Mesti Rajin. Kita Kena Buat Kerja Yg Berfaedah. Warga Tangga Batu Sentiasa di Hati.)

His post had garnered 1,200 likes and was shared 214 times as of this morning.

On February 28, 2016, Mr Abu Bakar had posted similar photos of him on the same road, including one with him sitting in one of the potholes, as he took to social media to express his disappointment over the dire condition of the road. MALAY MAIL ONLINE