KUALA LUMPUR – Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali has made a veiled apology in the Dewan Rakyat today over her recent remark suggesting that the government’s Menu Rahmah initiative could lead to autism and cancer.
The PAS politician said her intention was to champion the voice of the rakyat and that she wanted to serve as a check and balance to the government in line with her role as an opposition MP.
Her indirect apology was uttered through a two-paragraph pantun.
Loosely translated, the pantun seeks forgiveness from those who were offended by her remark, while explaining that she merely wanted to be the voice of the people and to keep the Madani administration in check.
She also reiterated that the matter was a misunderstanding and claimed that Parliament’s Hansard will absolve her of the statement.
The apology came after speaker Datuk Johari Abdul approved a request from Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching-PH) who sought an explanation for her offending remark.
Johari also said that he had met Dr Halimah in his office to explain the matter.
Halimah had previously drawn flak for her comment, with Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi labelling the statement as an insult to the Malaysian disabled community.
Urging everyone to respect the sensibilities of disabled people in the country, Ras Adiba also called for Halimah to be brought to the Committee of Privileges for further action.
The Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group had similarly condemned Halimah for her remark, highlighting how the claim was not based on facts or scientific data.
Echoing similar sentiments, the autistic peer support group Autism Initiatives Malaysia-High said that “having an MP who is a trained medical doctor stating that ‘low-quality’ food could cause autism is appalling, as there is no science behind it”. – The Vibes, February 27, 2023
