Karamunting assemblyman Alex Wong shrugs off viral oath-taking video

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Newly elected Warisan assemblyman for the Karamunting state seat Alex Wong Tshun Khee has taken a positive view of a viral video showing him struggling with Malay during his swearing-in ceremony at the Sabah State Assembly (DUN) last Thursday.

The video sparked widespread public reactions, with some claiming that Wong was not fluent in Malay.

In response, he denied the allegations, stressing his close ties with the Malay community in his hometown of Sandakan.

Explaining the incident, Wong said he felt nervous during the ceremony and experienced vision problems while reading the oath.

“At that time, I was nervous, and my reading glasses did not allow me to see the text clearly. As I was reading the oath, my nervousness caused me to lose my place in the text and I had to think about where I left off,” he said.

He added that it was his first time taking the oath as an assemblyman.

“The Speaker of the Sabah State Assembly also helped guide me with the correct pronunciation. I am fine and I just stay positive, I’m not angry. I learned from the experience since it was my first time in the Assembly,” he told reporters at the Sabah State Assembly building today.

Wong also expressed appreciation to those who shared the video, despite the public criticism it generated.

“I am thankful to them; now all of Malaysia knows me. However, it is not a big deal. It is a small matter that has been blown out of proportion,” he said.