Is it Tiong’s way to promote Malaysian tourism through intoxication, asks PN MP

KUALA LUMPUR: A Perikatan Nasional MP asked if the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister had his own “way” of promoting Malaysian tourism by promoting the culture of “intoxication and dancing publicly”.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) also said other countries were envious of the “Malaysia Truly Asia” tagline as it promotes polite Malaysian culture.

“The previous Tourism Ministers welcomed this in their own way. I want to ask is the current Minister (Tiong King Sing) trying to promote this in his own way through intoxication (mabuk) and dancing publicly,” she said after interjecting during Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s debate on Budget 2024 on Monday (Oct 16).

“Is this what the Madani government is trying to show foreigners? Is this the right way,” she asked.

Hamzah then said he did not understand what Mas Ermieyati meant by her remarks.

A video of Tiong dancing with a group of people had gone viral previously.

“I don’t know what Masjid Tanah means about ‘Kong Kali Kong’,” he said, referring to Tiong’s famous catchphrase “Kong Kali Kong”.

Mas Ermieyati then said she did not mention Kong Kali Kong, while asking Hamzah to retract the remarks in jest.

Before the House adjourned for lunch, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Noh asked Mas Ermieyati to retract her statement.

“During debates, (lawmakers) are not allowed to mention the behaviour or traits of any minister or government officer other than matters related to their role as parliamentarians,” he said.

“From what was said, I believe it is in reference to the behaviour of the minister.”

“It is my responsibility to ask you to retract if rules are breached. It is recorded that Masjid Tanah had mentioned that a minister was dancing while intoxicated,” he said.

Mas Ermieyati said while she had no qualms retracting the statement, the matter was related to the discussion in the House.