KUALA LUMPUR – Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Sepang-PH) acknowledged Malaysia’s popularity on the world stage but suggested the nation’s fame may not come from having a positive reputation.
While debating Budget 2022 at the committee stage, Hanipa touched on the issue of “national heritage sites”.
He said, when determining new heritage sites, the place particularly must be able to attract tourists, and may be dependent on Malaysia’s popularity on the world stage.
Hanipa then pointed to Indian American comedian Hasan Minhaj’s satirical piece on Netflix concerning the misappropriation of 1MDB funds.
“Since 1MDB has made Malaysia popular, perhaps we can have a nice 1MDB building to be made as a heritage site to attract tourists.
“Also, maybe we can give a title to the honourable Pekan, as Malaysia’s kleptocracy icon who pushed our country into the limelight,” Hanipa said.
However, across the aisle, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) did not take kindly to Hanipa’s sarcastic comments.
He questioned Hanipa’s sanity.
“What kind of brains do you have? You don’t seem to be thinking correctly. I think you have a mental illness,” Tajuddin said.
This prompted Hanipa to retaliate, questioning Tajuddin’s supposed appointment as ambassador to Indonesia.
“How can the country appoint the honourable Pasir Salak as an ambassador to Indonesia?
“He’s a failure,” Hanipa replied to Tajuddin. – The Vibes, November 25, 2021
