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globalcookie · 30-09-2016, 08:54 PM

Foreign minister defends Malaysian DPM's speech at UNGA
By Sumisha Naidu, Malaysia Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia Posted 30 Sep 2016 06:48 Updated 30 Sep 2016 06:50

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman has defended Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's maiden speech at the UN General Assembly, after the latter received criticisms online for his delivery in English.

"It is unfortunate that some Malaysians had levelled criticisms and had chosen to highlight the Deputy Prime Minister’s delivery of his speech rather than focus and digest the important message that he was conveying at the UN General Debate," Mr Anifah said in a statement on Thursday (Sep 29).

"The UN has a diverse membership and very often, we find that leaders have delivered their statements heavily accented in their own language. What is important is that the message that they are conveying is understood and their views are put across to the members of the UN."

Mr Zahid had addressed world leaders in New York at the 71st General Assembly instead of Prime Minister Najib Razak, raising concerns about terrorism, Palestine and the resettlement of migrants and refugees. However, the deputy prime minister received more attention in the nation for an allegedly rough delivery in heavily-accented "Manglish".

Some critics had questioned why Mr Zahid had chosen to speak in English rather than his mother tongue and the national language, Bahasa Malaysia. Many others have slammed the backlash as being unfair and mean-spirited.

Mr Zahid's daughter, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, also reportedly came to his defence.

"He has no 'classy tongue' to impress the classy ‘Mat Salleh' Malaysian," she wrote on Instagram.

"But for me, he is a classy man who is brave enough to speak and stand for what he believe, and deliver his very best as a deputy to his Prime Minister. That matters."

Malaysian representatives at the United Nations have usually delivered their speeches in English.

The Southeast Asian nation is a former British colony. While English is widely spoken in urban areas and taught in schools across the nation, improving proficiency levels among the young, particularly in rural areas, has been a challenge.

- CNA/de

Manglish??? SG got singlish and Malaysia Manglish

Seems like Malaysia racial issue getting more jialat.

30-09-2016, 08:54 PM	#154
globalcookie Dragon Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,446	Foreign minister defends Malaysian DPM's speech at UNGA By Sumisha Naidu, Malaysia Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia Posted 30 Sep 2016 06:48 Updated 30 Sep 2016 06:50 ENLARGECAPTION 358 Email More KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman has defended Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's maiden speech at the UN General Assembly, after the latter received criticisms online for his delivery in English. "It is unfortunate that some Malaysians had levelled criticisms and had chosen to highlight the Deputy Prime Minister’s delivery of his speech rather than focus and digest the important message that he was conveying at the UN General Debate," Mr Anifah said in a statement on Thursday (Sep 29). "The UN has a diverse membership and very often, we find that leaders have delivered their statements heavily accented in their own language. What is important is that the message that they are conveying is understood and their views are put across to the members of the UN." Mr Zahid had addressed world leaders in New York at the 71st General Assembly instead of Prime Minister Najib Razak, raising concerns about terrorism, Palestine and the resettlement of migrants and refugees. However, the deputy prime minister received more attention in the nation for an allegedly rough delivery in heavily-accented "Manglish". Some critics had questioned why Mr Zahid had chosen to speak in English rather than his mother tongue and the national language, Bahasa Malaysia. Many others have slammed the backlash as being unfair and mean-spirited. Mr Zahid's daughter, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, also reportedly came to his defence. "He has no 'classy tongue' to impress the classy ‘Mat Salleh' Malaysian," she wrote on Instagram. "But for me, he is a classy man who is brave enough to speak and stand for what he believe, and deliver his very best as a deputy to his Prime Minister. That matters." Malaysian representatives at the United Nations have usually delivered their speeches in English. The Southeast Asian nation is a former British colony. While English is widely spoken in urban areas and taught in schools across the nation, improving proficiency levels among the young, particularly in rural areas, has been a challenge. - CNA/de Manglish??? SG got singlish and Malaysia Manglish Seems like Malaysia racial issue getting more jialat.