YOURSAY | ‘Hasn't Saifuddin got more useful and productive work to do?’

After 'radical', govt now looking into use of 'militant' word

PB: This is either shades of Orwellian parsing of lexicon or just plain stupid. In any case, "radical" and "militant" aptly describe Palestinian group Hamas.

I am curious about the intellectual (pun intended) somersaults in all this.

We joined the war against the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis are supported by Iran. But Malaysia also supports Hamas in Gaza, who receives material and financial support from Iran as well.

We are against Israel. But our friend, the UAE, which our minister of something-or-other Azmin Ali recently visited, has normalised relations with Israel. (Azmin, what did you accomplish in the UAE and Saudi Arabia at taxpayers' expense?).

Are there any adults in our government? Does anyone understand international relations and geopolitics?

Beman: I am not sure what the big fuss is over the words "radical" and "militant". To me, "radical" just means "unconventional".

According to Wikipedia, ‘militant’ means "vigorously active, combative and/or aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in ‘militant reformers’."

To describe any group as militant is just saying that they are taking up arms to achieve their cause. Nothing is said about whether the cause is good or bad.

Goldie12345: I would like this government to have a more 'radical' approach in tackling Covid-19 and to be more 'militant' in rolling out our vaccination programme rather than wasting time on other countries’ problems.

Please focus on what is more important.

OrangeHornet9195: Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, what's going on with your priorities?

You are quick to take action upon receiving a complaint on Twitter about The Star's use of the word 'militant'.

What are you doing when rakyat are complaining about job losses, price increase, etc. Now don't blame the people for saying 'kerajaan gagal'.

Vijay47: They say the moment creates the man. Fresh from announcing crucial free phone calls from 10pm to 10am for one night, Saifuddin arises again to help the nation manage another important challenge we are facing - no, not Covid-19, but the correct terminology to be employed when reporting on the Middle East disturbances amongst radicals, militants, and Davids taking on Goliath. Whatever would we do without this man!

But first, we must congratulate him on his response to the people’s voice - just one complaint about someone’s unhappiness with the use of the word “militant” to describe Hamas saints and ‘Saladdin’ Saifuddin springs into action.

To assist Bernama reporters, especially those notorious for their unique command of England, I would suggest that Saifuddin come out with “yes and no” lists.

One list should be of words that should always accompany any mention of Hamas members. I would suggest a few like “heroes, warriors, charity workers, boy scouts and Samaritans.” The mirror list would be words to describe the Israelis - “aggressors, terrorists, militants, suicide bombers, and hijackers.” I think you get the drift.

In the third list - yes, there is a third list - are terms and facts that should never be used regarding the Jews - “outnumbered, besieged, super-pilots, precision bombing, Iron Dome, Nobel Prize, Harrison Ford, and ‘more than 1,300 rockets fired into Israel by Hamas patriots’.”

This would prompt Malaysians to rush to contribute to PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang’s Palestine Fund.

OrangePanther1466: Hasn't Saifuddin got more useful and productive work to do other than trying to redefine some English language words? I dare say if there is an example of an abuse of power, he has clearly demonstrated it.

Now he's gotten The Star and the RTM Mandarin news production crew on edge waiting to find out if they have wasted time explaining their choice of words and if the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will still slap them with a fine.

Kanke: Absurdity knows no boundaries. There is a war of words happening locally, initiated by the failed state.

Pleb: According to our government, Hamas is a group of peace-loving folks who just love to shoot rockets. Or freedom fighters who do not condone nor perform any violence. The definition changes day by day.

In truth, most would agree both sides are committing atrocities, but due to personal beliefs, one will be sympathetic to one side over the other. There is nothing wrong with that.

What is wrong here that now the government dictates how any news is shaped and reported. Bad news goes unreported or changed until it looks rosy, or small good news being trumpeted as news of the decade, even century?

Does the truth not matter anymore? Are the people fools that are unable to discern the truth? Or the government thinks that it can play all of us as idiots?

JD Lovrenciear: When it comes to an Asean neighbour, we choose to excuse ourselves under the principle of non-interference and sovereign considerations.

But when it comes to faraway nations locked in war, we get all riled up and even take offence to what words can be used or not. I am dazed with confusion.

Hang Babeuf: Not just "radical" stupidity from the minister, but “militant” stupidity as well.

And meanwhile, re: Kedah ruler: The use of word 'Allah' is only allowed for Muslims.

What one might say here is exactly what one is allowed to say: "No comment".

GrayPuffin9604: Malaysia is like a car going downhill with no brakes but instead of panicking, the driver is busy adjusting the air conditioning because it’s too hot inside.

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