– The Malaysian Insider
December 21, 2013
Why do Malaysian politicians have a penchant of spicing up their rhetoric with sexual innuendoes? Is it the lowest common denominator in politics and one every political party member can relate to?
Be it Borneo politicians who liken leaking roofs to woman’s menses or suggestive remarks about having quotas for four wives or a minister linking property values to a woman’s made-up beauty – almost every other speech is linked to sex.
So it is no surprise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak mentioned “political viagra” today to stimulate MCA to greater heights.
“We need political Viagra. Low in spirit, MCA has members at the grassroots level but they have no fire.
“Later, we will ask the Health Minister to do this,” the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said when opening the party’s annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Now, this isn’t the first time the prime minister displayed his penchant for sexual innuendo – which might be fine in his party but is unbecoming of top office.
The last time was early this month when he praised his wife at the close of the Umno general assembly, saying “Mungkin malam ini akan dapat bayaran (maybe tonight, I will be rewarded)” to laughter from the audience.
Ironically, Malaysians can be prudish when it comes to sex but the politicians seem inured and enjoy such banter without thinking that it reflects a crude or even uncouth behaviour.
More so for those who occupy high office in the country, especially the political aristocracy.
Malaysians have been told countless times to respect the office of those in high government posts, even if they have no respect for the officer bearer.
But it is time that those who hold such post also show some respect – for the other gender, if not just for the office. – December 21, 2013.