Syed Saddiq comes to the defence of Zahid
The PPBM leader advises Zahid to attend English classes and offers tips on how to speak in English after Zahid is criticised over his English usage.
He took the opportunity to offer the deputy prime minister tips on how to master the English language.
“I too once stammered and was not fluent in English, but praise to God, I am now given the mandate to teach in 25 countries,” said the youthful leader of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
A video of Zahid, posted on the United Nations webtv site, shows the Umno leader delivering what a news portal called a “less than eloquent” speech at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
https://www.facebook.com/ZahidHamidiFC/videos/701370656680388/
Many times during the speech, Zahid could be seen mispronouncing certain words, at one point even mistakenly referring to his boss as “President Najib Razak”.
National news agency Bernama on Sunday reported Zahid as saying that he had done his best to lead the Malaysian delegation at the world body.
“I will never disappoint when the prime minister entrusts to me duties on the world stage,” said the home minister.
Syed Saddiq, in his statement, hit out at those who mocked Zahid’s English skills, saying one should not be ashamed to speak in English.
“Prove the critics wrong. Attend English classes and start immersing yourself in an English speaking environment.
“I can even suggest easy methods to pick up the language in no time,” he wrote on his Facebook.
There is more advice from Syed Saddiq for Zahid:
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
“While accustoming yourself to the language, use short English sentences which are not filled with complex, hard to pronounce words. This will assist you in speaking smoothly.”