KUALA LUMPUR – This is not the first time Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s shirt choices have garnered public interest, but his RM6,900 red Burberry shirt has invited scorn as Malaysians grapple with rising inflation.
He wore the eye-catching shirt last Saturday to a walkabout at the Putrajaya Recreational Day and Jom Heboh Carnival events, which were attended by many Malaysians.
Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of PKR shared the price of the prime minister’s shirt, criticising Ismail Sabri’s pricey pick amid the rising cost of living – reported Getaran, The Vibes’ sister portal.
“It is strange that the PM prioritises the national language but highlights a ‘colonial’ brand,” he tweeted yesterday.
Ketika kos sara hidup meningkat...
— ?? Nik Nazmi (@niknazmi) June 26, 2022
Pelik juga PM utamakan Bahasa Kebangsaan tapi utamakan jenama penjajah. pic.twitter.com/6Et6Vvfy7S
Nik Nazmi’s colleague, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, also took a swipe at the prime minister, sharing a TikTok video highlighting his affordable Casio watches and Uniqlo brand clothes.
— Fahmi Fadzil ??? (@fahmi_fadzil) June 26, 2022
This video was also in response to Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who came to Ismail Sabri’s defence, telling Astro Awani that it is not uncommon for the prime minister to receive clothes and other luxury goods as gifts.
“Fahmi should ask his boss (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim. When he was deputy prime minister, many gifted him expensive items and branded goods, including clothes.
“When you get gifts, we should wear them to show gratitude, not leave them in the cupboard,” he was quoted as saying.
However, it did not sit well with some netizens as they expressed their frustration having to struggle with minimum wages while the prime minister dons luxury wear.
“I don’t care if he can afford it (the shirt) but when the people are struggling, don’t flex that expensive shirt,” said Twitter user @kosabarjap.
Another user known as Zaera lamented that this is what Malaysians get in return, as they pay taxes even though some don’t have enough to eat, or have to work hard for a minimum wage.
“His clothes are never marhaen prices,” said user Fakhrul, using a Malay term meaning “ordinary”.
Last month, Ismail Sabri drew flak for his shirt when he met Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo, Japan.
The Malaysian prime minister’s Burberry white, black, and blue collared shirt is believed to be priced at RM5,500.
When he was a senior minister during the movement control order in 2020, his colourful batik shirts also garnered public attention.
Netizens were less critical then, as they compared the design motifs to various kuih, kek lapis, avocado juice, and other local delicacies. – The Vibes, June 27, 2022
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