Yeoh rebukes Lumut MP over polygamy pantun

PARLIAMENT | For years, members of Parliament would show their penchant for pantun - a Malay form of repetitive poetry - to the amusement of their fellow colleagues and the public who are watching the proceedings live on television.

While some stick to the traditional version of the literary art, others try to be creative by modifying their pantun with modern or funny words to rhyme.

And while most of the time such light moments were met with laughter or wide grins among lawmakers, a Perikatan Nasional MP received brickbats after he came up with a pantun on polygamy this morning.

The brief moment happened when Nordin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut) got up from his seat to ask a pre-submitted question to the defence minister.

“Ada hati nak tambah isteri, tambah isteri nombor dua, Assalamualaikum YB menteri, soalan saya nombor dua,” he said, to indicate his question was number two on the list.

(I have the intention to get another wife, she will be my number two, Assalamualaikum dear minister, my question is number two)

Nordin’s remark did not sit well with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who found it disrespectful to the Lumut MP’s family.

“A PN MP cited this pantun during a session that was aired live (on television).

“While it was his right to do so, imagine what his family would feel (when watching the footage),” she said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Many netizens who replied to Yeoh’s tweet also shared her sentiment and lambasted the Bersatu leader.

Yeoh was not the only government MP who criticised Nordin, a retired navy officer.

Several other MPs could be heard rebuking him soon after Nordin recited the pantun, including a female representative calling him as being “very low”.

“Can’t you find another pantun?” asked another MP, whose voice could be heard on the live footage.

‘My family understands’

In a response to Yeoh, Nordin told Malaysiakini that his polygamy-themed pantun was made in jest.

“It is just a funny pantun. My family understands that I like to joke around.

“If there are any female MPs who are upset, I apologise. For Yeoh, thank you for your concern towards my family’s feelings. My family knows me very well because I am a very caring husband/father.

“It would be better if Yeoh tweets about issues that are more beneficial,” he said.

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