‘Mother’ Zuraida singing Que Sera, Sera gets harsh criticism

KUALA LUMPUR – “Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be.” The lyrics of this golden oldie have come to resonate with a whole new texture, thanks to Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Upon arriving from her working visit to Turkey and Greece yesterday, the plantation industries and commodities minister apparently burst into a sentimental rendition of the song when greeted by supporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The scene has gone viral on social media thanks to a video clip of Zuraida crooning away while surrounded by the supporters. 

The clip was uploaded on Twitter on the official account of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) yesterday evening.

The accompanying text in the posting hailed her as “Ibu Bangsa Malaysia” (Mother of the Malaysian People).

“IBM (Ibu Bangsa Malaysia) Zuraida arrives in KLIA to a warm welcome by supporters and sings Que Sera Sera!” said the text.

“Nothing fazes our IBM.” 

Perhaps the song, famously performed by the late Doris Day, was sung as Zuraida’s own reflection on her fate following her announcement on May 26 that she was leaving Bersatu and joining PBM. She had also announced that she was resigning from her portfolio in the cabinet.

Cutting a motherly figure, the Ampang MP said that she was reminded of the song when she was on the flight home from her travels and proceeded to serenade her supporters.

However, the 47-second video, which has since made its round on Twitterverse, was not received as tenderly by netizens.  

Twitter user Steven Jai Rania with the username @NorrizalM was baffled by Zuraida’s singing and questioned why “the frog” was singing.

Twitter user Aiman (@koyotitos) also chimed in and sarcastically gave Zuraida a new nickname – Mother of Frog.

“MOF would be more suitable. Mother of Frog.”

Meanwhile, another user Shahrul with the username @scorer29 said he would rather not be Malaysian if Zuraida is the "mother of the nation".

Muda vice-president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier also refused to pass up the opportunity to poke fun at the minister.

 Following in the footsteps of Zuraida, Dr Thanussha said in jest that she will now be known as ‘Thangechi Malaysia’ which means the nation’s younger sister.

“Ibu Bangsa Malaysia?? Giving herself a title as she pleases.  

“Abah (the moniker given to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) Malaysia, Ibu Malaysia. Therefore, I announce that I will be called Thangechi Malaysia.

“What a load of garbage. So much drama just for leaving and coming back to the country,” she tweeted.  

Yesterday, Zuraida said she would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob soon to discuss her position in the cabinet and would hold a press conference next week once the issue has been resolved.  

Zuraida was in Turkey to attend the Seventh Pioneers’ Conference for the Global Women’s Coalition for al-Quds and Palestine. 

She had earlier accepted an invitation to join the Malaysian Timber Development and Trade Mission together with the Malaysian Timber Council in Athens, Greece.

On May 26, Zuraida announced her decision to leave Bersatu and join PBM, saying she would discuss her resignation as a minister with the prime minister. 

She also said that she would continue to support Ismail Sabri’s government. – The Vibes, June 3, 2022