Tourism Minister: Kedah Menteri Besar’s ‘Buddha statue’ remark inappropriate, insulting

Tiong King Sing

KUCHING, Dec 1: ‘Sitting under banana trees like a bald Buddha statue with a big belly’ is an inappropriate and insulting remark, says Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Dato Seri Tiong King Sing.

In a video posted on his Facebook page today, Tiong said he was baffled about how Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor could utter such words and questioned if this is the attitude of a leader.

Sanusi, during the Kedah Assembly Legislative (DUN) sitting recently, questioned why Tiong was included in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bilateral meeting with Thailand at the Sadao Thailand Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex, which connects to the Bukit Kayu Hitam border.

According to Tiong, he was among the delegates because the meeting discussed trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, food security, and border security, and one of the matters involved his ministry.

Meanwhile, Tiong, also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, said Malaysia is a pluralistic country, unsuitable for extreme political play involving continuous baseless accusations against others.

He also pointed out that what happened proves that Sanusi does not deserve to be Menteri Besar for the people of multiple religions, races and cultures in Malaysia.

“I don’t care if Sanusi wants to insult my appearance. But Sanusi has to remember, a Menteri Besar must always respect others,” he added. — DayakDaily