Didn’t someone once say that Washington is the Hollywood for ugly people? Perhaps Putrajaya is where “ugly” Malaysians go. These are the people who desire to be in the limelight, but who were born without a talent like singing or acting. The next best thing for them is to become politicians.
Politicians surround themselves with “yes men” and ignoramuses to make themselves look good. It is all about ego – the politicians’.
Malaysians love celebrities, to the point where some of us even idolise them. We adore their talent, and a number of us are so obsessed that we want to dress like them, do our hair like they do, buy the same fashion accessories, use their favourite make-up and eat at their favourite restaurants. We love the gossip they may generate from their sexual liaisons, and when the celebrity has a tiff with his or her spouse, we invariably take sides.
Recently, several celebrities came under fire for appearing to criticise leaders for their alleged failings. These entertainers are very influential people and possess a large fan base; to reprimand them was a move that backfired.
The celebrities were seen as considerate and concerned for the welfare of their fans, while the politicians were seen as out of touch and “untouchable”.
When TV actress Nur Fathia Latiff questioned the wisdom of pursuing former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over Bank Negara Malaysia’s foreign exchange losses, Rizal Mansor, the prime minister’s aide, said, “Get your facts right, and write when you are in the right state of mind.”
Was it necessary to insult Nur Fathia in a personal manner and to accuse her of “abusing her popularity by making nonsensical political statements”?
Rizal has a vested interest as he is the prime minister’s aide. The 1MDB saga is unfolding before our eyes, but the forex scandal is being used as a distraction from the nation’s problems.
When singer Sheila Majid lamented the high cost of living, expensive food, scarcity of jobs and depreciating ringgit, she was vilified by Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
“Why is she complaining about the cost of living? What’s her income?” he said.
Sheila voiced concern on issues which affect the people, whereas Irwan only showed his arrogance. What has Sheila’s income got to do with her empathy for the rakyat?
Perhaps Irwan would have shared Sheila’s views if he were a junior employee at a private company, not a high-ranking civil servant.
Umno information chief Annuar Musa meanwhile suggested that economics is not Sheila’s forte.
Under his watch as Mara chairman, millions of ringgit in taxpayers’ money was used to pay for real estate at allegedly over-inflated prices.
Mara Inc officials were said to have pocketed about RM13 million in kickbacks in the purchase of Dudley International House in Melbourne.
Where was the good economic sense there? Moreover, the matter attracted the scrutiny of Australian authorities and tarnished Mara’s reputation.
In responding to Sheila’s views on the cost of living, Rizal questioned the price of tickets at her latest concert which he said had gone for several hundred ringgit each.
Ticket prices are determined by marketing companies – he should question them.
But Rizal did not criticise his boss’ wife for her extravagance when she complained about having to pay RM1,200 for hair treatment. Talk about being selective in his criticism of our favourite celebrities and the prime minister’s wife.
Mariam Mokhtar is an FMT columnist.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.