KUALA LUMPUR: A Perikatan Nasional MP posed a question about the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister’s unique approach to promoting Malaysian tourism through the promotion of “intoxication and public dancing.”
Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) also highlighted that the “Malaysia Truly Asia” tagline has made other countries envious as it promotes the courteous Malaysian culture.
During the debate on Budget 2024 on Monday (Oct 16), she stated, “The previous Tourism Ministers welcomed this in their own way. I want to ask if the current Minister (Tiong King Sing) is attempting to promote this through intoxication (mabuk) and public dancing in his own way.”
She further questioned if this was the image the Madani government aimed to project to the foreigners, and whether it was the correct approach.
Hamzah Zainudin, the Minister, expressed confusion regarding Mas Ermieyati’s remarks.
Previously, a video of Tiong dancing with a group had gone viral.
Referring to Tiong’s famous catchphrase “Kong Kali Kong,” Hamzah inquired, “I don’t know what Masjid Tanah meant by ‘Kong Kali Kong’.”
Mas Ermieyati clarified that she did not mention “Kong Kali Kong” and humorously requested Hamzah to retract his humorous remarks.
Before the House recessed for lunch, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Noh requested Mas Ermieyati to withdraw her statement.
He explained, “During debates, lawmakers are prohibited from mentioning the behavior or characteristics of any minister or government officer, except matters related to their roles as parliamentarians. From what was said, I believe it refers to the behavior of the minister.”
Datuk Ramli Mohd Noh added, “It is my duty to ask you to retract if the rules are violated. It is noted that Masjid Tanah mentioned that a minister was dancing while intoxicated.”
While Mas Ermieyati expressed her willingness to retract the statement, she argued that the matter was pertinent to the House discussion.
