LETTER | If it is true that our honourable Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak did indeed blurt out the damning words "kepala bapa kau" (literally: your father’s head) and "stupid" in hitting out at the opposition political leaders in his address at the MCA Annual General Assembly, then Malaysians should feel insulted.

If common sense is to prevail then Malaysians have the right to chastise our prime minister for these words. His entire Cabinet should also be told off for their silence.

"Kepala bapa kau" is extremely uncalled for. In our Malaysian cultural context it is most insulting and hurting. Why curse another's father if you are unhappy and hurt that some opposition leaders are lying, as you claim?

And for a prime minister to spew such crass insults is beyond the pale. No amount of justification can absolve a leader for such behaviour in public.

Some of our fathers may no longer be living. Suppose if we used the same language on the PM, what would be the outcome, when even those who drop yellow balloons are not spared?

The prime minister of Malaysia owes all ethical Malaysians a public apology. And his entire entourage must make public a similar sentiment.

Please, honourable prime minister, set a good example for all of us and especially the younger generations. If you pretend this didn’t happen, or excuse yourself for using harsh and crude language, then what is there to stop others from using it in school, in corporate corridors or at any public function?

No amount of frustration and anger should drive one, especially the leader of a nation, to spew words that are unacceptable by any religious, social, or cultural standard.

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