.jpg)
By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) September 2023
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's recent critique of Malaysians' penchant for dining out has raised eyebrows and for good reasons, too.
It appears that the Minister has chosen to poke the proverbial hornet's nest at a time when the nation is grappling with far more pressing economic concerns. His comments have drawn flaks from many, including Khairy Jamaluddin's podcast of Keluar Sekejap.
Former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar succinctly pointed out that what the public truly yearns for is concrete action, not verbose analysis.
The skyrocketing prices of goods and the strain on household budgets are far weightier matters than the dinner choices of Malaysians. Besides, it's inappropriate to label eating out by fellow Malaysian as an addiction.
At a time when people are grappling with financial hardships, Rafizi's foray into dissecting their eating habits is not only misplaced but also insensitive. It's akin to discussing the colour of the walls while the house is on fire.
Furthermore, Khairy's demand for a practical solution rather than idle contemplation resonates with the public at large.
We agree with KJ, Ministers should refrain from revealing their musings if they can not offer a tangible plan to address the issue at hand.
Malaysians are looking for a roadmap to alleviate their economic burdens, not a lecture on their dining preferences or their outdoor eating habits.
In essence, Rafizi's criticism of eating-out habits serves as a stark reminder that our leaders should prioritize addressing the immediate concerns of the people. Delving into personal choices during these trying times is not only irrelevant but also a diversion from the pressing issues that demand attention and action.
It's high time for the current government and the Cabinet of PMX to put the needs of the people ahead of inconsequential scrutiny.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.