S’wak minister wants Kedah MB to apologise for ‘pot-bellied tokong’ remark against Bintulu MP

Composite photo of (from left) Abdul Karim, Sanusi and Tiong.

By Shikin Louis

KAPIT, Dec 2: Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has described Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s “pot-bellied tokong” remark as derogatory, thus calling for the latter to apologise to Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman.

Sanusi, during the Kedah Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting recently, was reported to have allegedly mocked Tiong for looking like a “bald, pot-bellied tokong (Buddha statue)” and “having a face that does not attract tourists at all.”

Abdul Karim said as a leader, he or she should maintain the decorum of the august House and not insult other members despite being in different parties.

“When I watched that video (Sanusi’s derogatory remark about Tiong), I felt that Tiong should not be insulted like that because we must respect the beliefs of others. It looks derogatory to me.

“I hope that Sanusi will apologise to Tiong. Although Tiong is from the federal administration, such a statement should not have been made because whatever is said in the DUN will be inserted into the Hansard. Fifty years from now, our grandchildren will read the Hansard and think of why our Menteri Besar behaved like this,” he said at a press conference after officiating Sarawak Youth Day 2023 at Kapit Civic Centre today.

Yesterday (Dec 1), Tiong called Sanusi’s remark inappropriate and insulting. — DayakDaily