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KUALA LUMPUR – Far from putting out voices of discontent, the Social Welfare Department’s defence of Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun has instead generated a backlash from both netizens and politicians.
Following a viral video showing the minister using a waterjet on what seems to be a clean cement floor, the department released a statement explaining that Rina had been requested to clean bird and lizard faecal stains around the area.
KENYATAAN MEDIA [MENTERI MENGGUNAKAN WATERJET MEMBERSIHKAN SIMEN BERSIH]
— Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (@JKMHQ) December 26, 2021
YB Datuk Seri Rina Harun, Menteri KPWKM telah turun padang bersama-sama dengan 200 orang sukarelawan Skuad Keluarga Malaysia dan warga KPWKM untuk melakukan aktiviti pembersihan di PPS SK Salak, Sepang. pic.twitter.com/KpbEqe61MV
In response, opposition lawmakers and activists were quick to voice their disagreement with the department’s involvement in the matter, claiming that its integrity is at stake.
“JKM should not be the one to come out with a statement. For issues like this, the Prime Minister’s Office should be the one to provide a statement ‘clarifying’ matters.
“Unfortunately, since JKM was the one to release the statement, they have been implicated as well,” prominent lawyer Syahredzan Johan noted in a tweet.
Sepatutnya, bukan JKM yang keluarkan kenyataan.
— Syahredzan Johan (@syahredzan) December 27, 2021
Sepatutnya isu macam ini, pejabat Menteri yang keluarkan kenyataan untuk 'jelaskan'.
Malangnya sebab JKM yang keluarkan kenyataan, mereka terpalit sekali.
Expressing similar sentiments, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh took the department to task in a tweet on the matter.
“It is upsetting to see JKM going to such lengths to defend the actions of the minister (Rina). I know many JKM officers who carry out their jobs with dedication, with many working hard at relief centres.
“The minister’s actions have tarnished the dignity of these officers. This is unfair to them,” she said.
Saya sedih melihat @JKMHQ begitu mempertahankan gelagat Menteri. Saya kenal ramai pegawai JKM yang amat berdedikasi dalam melaksanakan tugas mereka. Ramai bertungkus lumus jaga PPS dengan baik. Tapi gelagat Menteri merendahkan martabat pegawai JKM. Tak adil bagi mereka.
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) December 26, 2021
She pointed out that the department’s official Twitter account has been occupied with “promoting” the Titiwangsa lawmaker, when the platform could have been used to promote products by the department or the efforts of its officers at relief centres.
The opposition MP observed that today alone, JKM has made four posts promoting the women, family, and community development minister.
Yeoh called the department out for issuing a statement to defend Rina’s use of a waterjet to clean stubborn faecal matter on what seems to be a clean cement floor.
“There are actually many JKM officers doing their part with various tasks. It would be better to use the department’s official platform to promote its products and the hard work of officers at relief centres.
“There is even a media statement to defend a picture of the minister using a waterjet. Sad.”
Hari ini sahaja @JKMHQ buat 4 posts mempromosikan Rina Harun. Ramai pegawai JKM sebenarnya berkhidmat pelbagai tugasan, lebih baik guna platform rasmi JKM promosikan produk JKM dan usaha pegawai di PPS. Sampai ada kenyataan media untuk pertahankan gambar dia guna waterjet. Sedih. pic.twitter.com/SUBskFKtkz
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) December 26, 2021
Likewise, Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto was seen thanking Rina in a sarcastic tweet, while taking a jab at the department.
“Thank you, Rina, for being responsible and effective at cleaning bird and lizard faeces that the school authorities have not managed to get rid of all this while.
“JKM is amazing for inviting the women, family, and community development minister to shoot away the faeces.
“The culture of ‘raising’ ministers is still intact,” she quipped.
Terima kasih @RinaMohdHarun diatas tanggungjwab & kebrkesanan membersihkn tahi unggas & cicak yg selama ini tidak dpt dibersihkn oleh pihak sekolah.
— Kasthuri Patto (@PattoKasthuri) December 26, 2021
Hebat JKM pelawa Menteri KPWKM utk tembak tahi trsebut.
Budaya angkat Menteri brpisah tiada.#DasarAngkatMenteri#DaruratBanjir pic.twitter.com/pMJXWwCcRH
Taking to social media to voice their incredulity with the entire situation, many netizens questioned why the department is going to such extents to back the minister.
Twitter user @khalidkarim said instead of ministers cleaning drains, he would much rather see government officials working together with engineering teams to avoid another massive flood.
I rather see our Ministers & MB working on works needed to avoid another big flood...with the engineering team.
— khalid karim Parti Orang Miskin (@khalidkarim) December 26, 2021
Than to see them to cuci longkang.
Other users of the platform decided to voice their grievances directly to the department. One such tweet came from user @SimpletonED, who called the department’s actions an “embarrassment”.
“This department is sponsored by taxpayers’ money and should be serving the people. The same goes for the ministers’ salaries. Don’t use a ministry portal for propaganda for a minister.
“The people know how to judge for themselves whether or not a ministry is doing its job. How embarrassing,” he said.
Salam admin. Jabatan Kebajikan dibiayai cukai rakyat, dan sepatutnya berkhidmat untuk RAKYAT. Bahkan gaji Menteri juga. Jangan gunakan portal Kementerian sebagai PROPAGANDA Menteri. Rakyat menilai sendir, kalau Kementerian kerja atau tidak. Memalukan.
— 🇲🇾إدوين 🇲🇾 🏴 #KitaMinta5ribu (@SimpletonED) December 26, 2021
Netizen @ridhuan90 also voiced the thoughts of many in his frustrated tweet, which questioned the decisions made by the department.
“Do you (JKM) not think that this statement shows off the minister’s stupidity even more? How many cameras did she need to film her while she cleaned lizard faeces?
“Government staff and departments do not need to defend the stupidity of ministers.” – The Vibes, December 27, 2021