Zainuddin Maidin makes a fool of himself in interview about the Bersih protest
By RACHEL LEOW
What follows is a transcript of the telephone interview that Malaysia’s Minister of Information Zainuddin Maidin (ZAM) gave Al-Jazeera yesterday, moments after the Bersih memo was delivered to the Royal Palace at the close of the biggest anti-government protest in Malaysia in ten years.
ZAM: ….I commend your journalists trying to project, to exaggerate more than what actually happened. That, that, that, that’s it. We, we are not, the, the — and I, I congratulate your journalists behaving like an actor, that, that’s —
AJ: As you say that, sir, we’re watching scenes of protesters being sprayed by chemical-filled water …
ZAM (interrupts): Ya, I am watching, I hear, [?] …. trying to do it everywhere but in Malaysia people are allowed, to, you know [?] … Police have allowed the procession to go to the Istana Negara, you know, do police, first police, like, they handle them, they [?] them, they … the police don’t, don’t, don’t fire anybody …
AJ: Our correspondent came back to the office, sir, with chemicals in his eyes!
ZAM (speaking over her): … You, you, you, you are here with the idea, you are trying to project, what is your mind, you think that we are Pakistan, we are Burma, we are Myanmar, everything you, you are thinking …
AJ: Well unfortunately when you refuse to let people protest, it does appear so.
ZAM (speaking over her): …Ya, ya, we are not like you, you have early perception, you come here, you want to project us like undemocratic country. This a democratic country!
AJ: So why can’t people protest then, if it’s a democratic country?
ZAM (interjects at “protest then”): Ya, people protest, people then — first they protest, we are allowing protests, and they have demonstrated. But we just trying to disperse them and then later they, you know, disperse, but later our police compromise. They have compromised and allowed them to proceed to Negara. Police, our police have succeeded in handling them gently, right? Why do you report that and you take the opposition, someone from opposition party you ask him to speak, you don’t take from the government, right?
AJ: Why did you not break up these protesters –
ZAM (interrupting): Pardon? Pardon? Pardon?
AJ: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?
ZAM: I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.
AJ: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?
ZAM: No we, we are, we, this protest is illegal. We don’t want, this, the, normally … (slight pause, then continues to talk while she interjects)
AJ (interjecting): OK, so let me return to my former question. Why is this protest illegal?
ZAM (babbling on): Ya it’s illegal protest because (AJ: Why?) we have the election in Malaysia. It’s no, no point on having the protest, we are allowing to have every, an election every five years, never fail. We not our like, are not like Myanmar, not like other country. And, and you are helping this. You Al-Jazeera also is helping this, this forces, the, you know, these forces who are not [?], who don’t believe in [?] …
AJ (seems to want to say something, but decides not to): I don’t … many thanks for joining us.
ZAM: I don’t, ya, you, Jazeera, this is, is Al-Jazeera attitude. Right?
(she doesn’t reply. In the background, the chants of the protesters fill the silence)
Points to Note, Objectively
1. ZAM is right that the journalist in question was being overdramatic, if that’s what he means by “behaving like an actor”. For those who haven’t seen the footage, the reporter is ducking ludicrously (and mostly unnecessarily) about the screen with the crowd scattering in the background under water-cannonfire from the police, acting as though he’s being attacked by a swarm of invisible mosquitoes.
2. This is, of course, not the point.
3. ZAM made the connection to Pakistan and Myanmar/Burma himself. Paranoia, methinks.
4. Inconsistencies regarding his claims about democracy and the legality of the protests are manifold. “This is a democratic country,” he insists. “We are allowing protests,” he goes on to say, emphasizing that the police have “allowed” the protesters through to the Istana (Palace), and that this is an indication of their “gentle” handling of the situation. Not half a minute later, he says, “This protest is illegal,” and cannot answer why.
5. Essentially, what he ends up saying is that the protest is illegal because we have elections. This is a very strange claim to make for a protest about elections.
6. With all these inconsistencies, it’s no wonder that he has to fall back finally on the one justified claim he has made, which is that the journalist played up the drama. Note, though, that he goes much further and lambasts the entire Al-Jazeera network for this “attitude”, and for acting in cahoots with the opposition, which is not justified.
7. Finally, his accusation that Al-Jazeera has not interviewed any government official’s side of the story is just too rich. This, from a government that controls all mainstream media and bolsters its authority by only providing its side of the story, is too much. Also, Al-Jazeera is interviewing him, are they not? I don’t see RTM putting Anwar or Lim Kit Siang on air anytime soon.
This post was originally published on Rachel Leow’s idleThinK.
She is collecting photographs of supporters dressed in or holding something yellow.
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RACHEL LEOW is an editor for theCICAK.
Rachel is currently reading, writing and breathing a Masters in History, and occasionally wonders how people who never bother catching up on the past can pontificate at such length on the present and the future. She also smokes too much shisha. Visit her site.
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- Al Jazeera: Defiant Malaysian protesters face tear gas at Bersih rally
- Bersih rally: UMNO representatives say there's no need for political reform in Malaysia
- Bersih protest, a show of people power
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Part 1: Creating a new manifesto for Malaysia
Malaysia has a government that treats the constitution as nothing more than the toilet paper that adorns your bathrooms. They run roughshod on it, treating it like joke, a document of whimsy and games. Thus, as a result...Young Malaysians, here are ten steps to become better citizens
A very basic list of things that twenty-something’s can do as citizens.The hunt for subversives: Malaysian Government arrest Bersih, Hindraf activists and lawyers
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How far would you go if your lover cheated on you? Be honest.
Comment of the week
I defend my right as a Malaysian to talk about anything that concerns Malaysia.
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Haha, Burma IS Myanmar! Our politicians’ English skills are appalling!
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“in malaysia people are laugh at u, u know” - 2.10
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a comment from a minister which only have SPM cert.. mamak maidin..
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so according to Zam, as long as elections are conducted in a country, it is democratic. obviously in his books, freedom isn’t one of the key points of democracy.
this guy needs to be sent straight to kindergarten, school and university all over again. where was he educated? does he even know what democracy is?
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what the hell is he babling about??…i suppose he could hardly understand himself when heard this replay….i cant hear u..cant..i..hear..cant..u..cant…me..talking about actor hark??…..he shd be given an oscar in deed…there goes malaysian’s English language standard..
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I am embarrassed. Who elected this menteri?
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hahahah….just with election every five year, then this country is definiteky democratic. How pathetic mind this so called menteri penerangan have!
Similar to his ketua…hahahahah…too many empty brain minister..talk so lod but brain full with tahi!
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Muaaahhaaahahah…muaaahhhaaaaa..hahaha. sorryy u uu know i can’t event comment hahahaaa. Its very funny u knoww hahaaa. But at the same time i feel like to ccrryyyyyyyyyyyy u knowww because he is the INFORMATION MINISTER OF MALAYSIAAA! Waaaaa….. shame on you Bdolloh bodowiiii….
I wiil not forgive you Pak Lah. I will not forgive you Pak Lah! You make me soo shame to have this kind of minister! Waaaaa.ghhhh….
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I wonder how he did it when he managed to get “Fellowship Kewartawanan Profesional dari Universiti Michigan, Amerika Syarikat”. Very very weird. Former Utusan editor yet a very embarrassing level of English.
Source: http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainuddin_Maidin
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Could you expect more from our Minister of Misinformation and Propaganda…?
I mean, this is a fellow who thinks Malaysians are not open minded enough to watch parliamentary proceedings on television. A person who thinks nobody watches the Tamil news on RTM and thinks that it’s the people’s fault that RTM is losing viewers.
This Al-Jazeera incident is just as expected.
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ahhaha..damn this guy issss funnnnnnny!!
menteri enerangan or menteri pembohongan..i wonder
k k..time to send him back to school..im sure he skipped all the ‘ENGGERIS’ classes
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Hi Rachel.
Kudos for the transcript considering I can’t understand what these people say most of the time. I do however disagree that the Al Jazeera journalist was overreacting. I was in the same spot and was hit my the tear gas (not the cannons thankfully) and with the police you never know what is going to hit you. Remember that a youth was hit on the head with a gas canister.
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well done on the transcript. now mr zam is REALLY angry..
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The story is one thing, but…..
And to think that this guy is Malaysia’s “Information” minister!?!? What about cadence? Delivery? Command of vocabulary? Power of speech? Rebuttals?… Bah! How the hell did he get to become Information minister in the first place?
He can’t even speak in proper sentences under pressure nor engage in a fair debate with a newscaster and we put him there to be responsible for the distribution of media & information to Malaysians??? Ahyoyo…. we are sooo screwed!!!
A sad & pathetic representation on the kind of people we have in the government. I can’t believe we have someone like that in such a high position. It is so embarrassing to have such a Minister. Damn pai seh man…. I wonder what is his education background?
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and i thought i sound like an idiot under stress…
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@ Shazeea: point taken — I wasn’t there, and some of my friends tell me they witnessed people being very harshly treated. But what’s really amazing about the Bersih rally is that everything was (Masjid Jamek excepted) so peaceful and well-ordered. The international media, Al-Jazeera included, likes to focus on the tear gas and forceful dispersal etc. But for the *most* part, rakyat & polis alike seem to have been pretty well behaved, especially if we take our fine information minister’s lead & compare ourselves to, say, Pakistan. But we can’t stop journalists from being somewhat sensationalist — I think it’s in the blood or something.
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[…] Dari umno-reform Ulasan II Zainuddin Maidin makes a fool of himself in interview about the Bersih protest […]
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How come nobody’s gonna mention about how a certain Papa Smurf-of-bloggers-turned-politician was labelled as an ‘independant journalist’ ??
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well, vincent. at least he is not some 22 engineer trying to be cool posting some angry comments in cicak most of the time and making himself look like some bitchy angry emo kid who hate the whole world and try to make some difference by cutting their wrist
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A lot has already been discussed about the demo and march to the Istana. That’s an old story.
It is true that the right to gather and freedom of speech are all enshrined within the constitution. But the move towards a just and democratic society should be more than just that. The role of institutions (like the judiciary, police, government, media and SPR) also need to be discussed.
By dwelling on the right or wrong about the demo, while not discussing Bersih’s appeals and communique, we are indirectly supporting the ruling government’s destructive schemes.
One, we are confirming the lies of the propoganda machine that we are merely an angry mob that only knows how to march on the streets. Two, we are incapable or not interested in discussing the heart of the matter i.e. Electoral reform. Three, that we ourselves are easily distracted from achieving the purposes we all set out.
Let’s move on to discuss and debate the content of Bersih’s demand.
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My mom was colleagues with him one time at NST years ago, and she says he’s not that smart and a “ball carrier”, hahaha.
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John, if I wanted to be cool, this would be the last website I would be on.
I am here because, just like how you people who seem to think you need to educate me on how God-like our opposition parties are, I seem to think I need to educate you on how hypocritical they are.
I believe you people call it ‘healthy discussion’. Or is it only ‘healthy discussion’ if I am with you on this?
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The hallmark of an Information Minister….
1. Able to communicate diplomatically with all levels particularly with foreign media….
2. Excellent mastery of English……
3. Know the facts well
4. Know waht he/she is talking about….
5. Cool under fire…..
I’m sure that are other better candidates than Maidin…who are much more qualified & competent….& well groomed for the job….
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Vincent,
I posted something on The Star’s blog yesterday, but it’s yet to be released by the online editor. So I’m posting it on Vox today.
http://aput.vox.com/library/post/my-thoughts-on-the-nov-10-protest.html
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erm…..
ok…
I -er - that is - i mean, you know, like - y’know, it’s, erm, like - that, that, that is - i am -
- completely embarassed, COMPLETELY. I wanted to laugh, but i also wanted to hide under the table. What’s ‘fascinating’ (haha) about this whole interview is that Zam offered NOT ONE semi-intelligent comment. He went on and on about ‘it’s illegal’ therefore we can subject the protesters to inhumane treatment because ‘it’s illegal’ and we can do what we bloody well like to em because - oh - it’s ‘illegal’…..
And it’s sad. I mean, i would have forgiven the man his deplorable command of English if he had raised but one good point. However, he has proven to us that he has all the eloquence and IQ of a stuttering 6-year-old.
And oh yeah: contrary to the perception of silly and biased foreigners, Malaysia really is, like, you know, totally democratic. Totally, like. (cue sarcasm here)
People should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afriad of the people.
And I think they are.
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“I am here because, just like how you people who seem to think you need to educate me on how God-like our opposition parties are” - vincent
Dear Vincent,
No one is trying to educate you. If you want to bring up a point (as opposed to just putting others down but offering nothing new) then bring it up. Bring it. Or beat it.
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Our ministers are only good at making statements. They know nothing about coming up with solutions to the problems or rather couldn’t care less about the problems. They talk so much about racial harmony, how we all should be united, spend so much on advertisements for this, etc. BUT did they find out what is causing this disharmony and how to solve it. Until they find out what’s causing this, they can never solve anything. Another 10 years to come they will still be talking about it. It’s just that at that time someone else will be talking.
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For the love of God, Zam, were you high? Even primary school kids could correct an politician of his rich knowledge of Geography and speak complete and proper English sentences containing sense and logic.
Zam, you’re the undisputed champ of M’sians. No wait, i think he won’t understand the word ‘undisputed’ at all. You have rocked history my dear fellow doofus politician.
I’ll be glad to hear another live-transmission of what’s going to happen to him. This would be interesting. And entertaining.
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I can’t believe in Malaysia we have a stupid minister (sorry to say this, it is clear that he is stupid), and appointed to hold the position as Information minister, responding to the Al-Jazeera reporter with a bloody English fluency. Oh gosh, if Nazri’s claim in his statement in the Al-Jazeera interview show is were true, saying that “we have an election, we’ve been selected by the people.”, clearly, many Malaysians chose wrong person.
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To Vincent:
evidently, u have chosen to disrespect my words to you in the last post and has thus continue to choose to disrespect everyone else who BELIEVES IN ELECTORAL REFORMS.
yet again, you have completely ignored the point that supporters of the BERSIH rally are citizens who BELIEVES IN CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.
as i have said before, it is entirely your right to believe that BERSIH is merely an opposition party stunt, that is your personal disrespect and insult to the parties involved which you may so gallantly retain.
but please, do not insult your intelligence by calling everyone a “blind follower”.
because while you are doing so, you yourself are no different, and are but a blind follower of non-original perspectives, regardless of the parties you support.
you are right, i AM trying to educate you, but not to ask you to support the “opposition”, instead i implore you to look beyond the lines of mere “party characters” and see the reasons for ordinary citizens to stand up: TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE A CHANGE.
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hot discussion..wuhooo..impressive anyway, judging by the way of how all the comments were presented.
glad 2 c dat ppl are start thinking critically ..yet sum think dat m’sia citizen only know hw 2 gossip about celebrities hoho
welcome 2 globalization era..think n b ready. bashaaa !!!
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Tribute to BERSIH.(sing it in Der Fuhrer’s Face tune. Watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqG9YVd7OBU&feature=related)
Herr Maidin’s Face
(With apologies to Spike Jones and City Slickers)
When Herr Maidin says people can protest,
They PROTEST! PROTEST! right in Herr Madin’s face,
But to go to der BERSIH, can get you in disgrace,
And Police SPRAY!SPRAY! right in der protesters’ face.
When Herr Maidin says,we ist democratic place,
We “BOLEH!” “BOLEH!” right in Herr Maidin’s face,
When Herr Maidin says Al Jazeera ist der actor,
Police SPRAY! SPRAY! right in der protester’s face.
Are we really democratic , everything also can?
JA we ist democratic, ANYthing also can!
Ist dis Bolehland not good,
Would leave it if you could?
JA dis Bolehland so good,
Vee would leave it if vee could!
He bring Malaysia to order
Bolehlah New ISA Order
Everyone of foreign race will love Herr Maidin’s face
When we bring Malaysia to disorder
When Herr Maidin says,we ist democratic place,
We “BOLEH!” “BOLEH!” right in Herr Maidin’s face,
When Herr Maidin says,we ist democratic place,
We “BOLEH!” “BOLEH!” right in Herr Maidin’s face!!
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OMG. His English… I can’t stand a slight grammatical error. This is worse than Samy Vellu’s BM !
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And no thanks to the menteri for criticising Al-Jazeera’s “attitude” : Al-Jazeera are doing what they have to do in placing before him tough questions. As a politician, he’d have to answer them. And the menteri made an even greater fool of himself by running away from those questions and criticising them instead.
He’s a politician, he represents the people. Shouldn’t he know what to say instead of hide the truth ?
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The bomb is him yelling ‘this is a democratic country!!!’ when they are showing the footage of people being sprayed with chemicals. Rambling on and on in defensiveness can only mean one thing, siapa yang makan cili, dialah yang rasa pedas.
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[…] bungled up his image and more importantly the image of Malaysia in the eyes of the world when his interview with Al Jazeera was a total flop! Thus earning his the nickname Minister of Misinformation and […]
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I am appalled and aghast at such juvenile, inarticulate remarks from a person….an INFORMATION MINISTER! LIVE ON INTERNATIONAL TV STAGE! Embarrassing! Unbelievable!
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An information minister who cant seem to hold his card against a newscaster?
It is clear that ZAM is being overly-pretentious of himself, totally ignorant of the sensitivity of Malaysians, freely dispensing his nonsensical and ill-informed sometimes humorous views. This is Malaysia’s rep on the international front? Not on my watch! A person who refers to the recent election as ‘ERECTION 2008′ live on TV, should NOT be considered to represent anyone at all, not even my neighbor’s pet schnauzer.
How Pak Lah can appoint him, I just am too lost for words and vocabularies.
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Soon la. Soon. Time will take its toll on such people. So many disputes - and I mean stupid disputes - have taken place due to miscommunication and trying to hide the truth. Firstly, I don’t understand how Pak Lah appointed him. Secondly, I don’t even understand why such a minister could even dare to make a fool of himself.
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