Sorry, Rajiv: Muda apologises for candidate’s body-shaming remarks

PETALING JAYA – One says he is younger than Muda, while the other believes he is fitter.

In two social media posts, with one now deleted, Bukit Gasing state election candidates had apparently traded “harmless” insults on social media.

While such jibes have become the norm during campaign seasons, Muda’s candidate V.K.K. Raja was criticised for what netizens claimed as fat shaming.

It started when incumbent Rajiv Rishyakaran of DAP posted a photo of himself on Instagram with a caption detailing his journey in politics.

The lengthy caption started with Rajiv expressing how surreal it felt, poking fun at how he had transitioned from having black hair to having grey hair.

“But but but, I’m still younger than the ‘young party’ candidate. (Ok ok joking only, he's 44, I'm 41),” he said.

Rajiv was referring to his Bukit Gasing opponent Raja, who is 44.

While Muda in Malay means young, it is also an acronym for Malaysian United Democratic Alliance.

Hence, according to party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, there is no age limit to becoming its member.

Possibly responding to Rajiv’s age joke, Raja took to Twitter, where he shared a fitness video.

The post has since been deleted, but screenshots of it are being shared on social media.

“Always remember, being fit and healthy is a must; no point in being young when you’re leading an unhealthy life. 

“A slightly older and fitter candidate from @partimuda,” Raja had allegedly posted.

Raja later issued an apology, saying the post has been deleted.

He asserted that he had always been advocating for a healthy lifestyle.

“But if my tweet has offended anyone, I’m truly sorry, and I have removed the initial postings,” he said.

Another Muda member later came to Raja’s defence by insulting Rajiv. The offending tweet has also been deleted.

This led to the party’s deputy president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz issuing a public apology to Rajiv.

“On behalf of Muda, I would like to make a public apology to @rajiv4malaysia for the remarks made by some of our members. It doesn’t reflect Muda’s beliefs and ideals. 

“This doesn’t reflect the true meaning of #PolitikBaru that Muda champions. I assure you that most of our members who embrace #PolitikBaru are not happy with those remarks,” she said, adding that they have received a disciplinary report on the matter. – The Vibes, August 10, 2023