‘Work, not holiday’, says Rashid after banquet invite in Austria goes viral

KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon clears the air after social media was abuzz about his whereabouts.

Speaking to The Vibes today, he said he is currently in Vienna for a work trip.

“I am in Vienna on a work trip. I am here in my capacity as a legislative member, as a Parliament representative. 

“I am visiting several countries to meet my counterparts in my capacity as deputy speaker,” said Rashid, who is also Batu Pahat MP.

Last night, political cartoonist Zunar tweeted a photo of an invite that detailed a banquet with Rashid and his wife Datin Nor Azizah Haron in conjunction with their visit to Austria’s capital city.

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque, panned Rashid for being abroad when the people were reeling from flood woes.

NAK PI VIENNA PULAK YB? Rakyat tengah susah, negara dialnda banjir! Apa Komen anda?#RakyatBantuRakyat pic.twitter.com/dtv3R4Dwcn

— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) December 31, 2021

Seronoknnya pergi luar negara time ni.
Apa Komen anda? pic.twitter.com/nwbXSX4ed5

— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) January 1, 2022

On the dinner invite, Rashid said he was invited by the Ambassador-designate of Malaysia to Austria and Slovak Republic Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim for a meal on Thursday. 

Asked about the destinations in his itinerary, he refused to divulge further information, saying “I don’t think I need to explain, this is between parliaments.

“I will be visiting a few countries after Vienna, and I will return to Malaysia on January 8.”

Checks by The Vibes revealed that Rashid had also met his Iranian counterpart Ali Nikzad in Tehran last Saturday. 

Deputy Speaker of Iranian Parliament , Ali Nikzad met his Malaysian counterpart, Rashid Hasnon in Tehran . pic.twitter.com/yeVUoFZCB4

— Iran Embassy In Malaysia (@iraninmalaysia) December 26, 2021

According to a report by Mehr News Agency, both the deputy speakers spoke about enhancing cooperation between the two parliaments as well as exchanging experiences on legislation and supervisory roles of the two parliaments.

Johor became the latest state to be hit by floods with eight relief centres opened in Segamat to shelter 456 victims from 133 families as of 8am today.

The number of evacuees in four states also continued to rise in Sabah, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.  – The Vibes, January 1, 2022