Teresa Kok, a member of Parliament for Seputeh, recently addressed a misunderstanding caused by an incorrect translation generated by the AI tool, ChatGPT. According to Kok, the mistranslation led to confusion regarding her statement on halal certification, which was subsequently picked up by the media and sensationalized.
Speaking to Mingguan Malaysia, Kok explained that the original statement was made in Mandarin, and a colleague translated it into Malay before it was posted on her official Facebook page. Due to time constraints, the translation was done hastily using ChatGPT, which resulted in certain terms being mistranslated. Unfortunately, the translation was not thoroughly reviewed before it was shared online.
"My colleague, who usually handles translations, is fluent in Mandarin and does a thorough job. However, on this particular occasion, they were in a rush to complete their tasks before heading out for an overseas assignment. To save time, they turned to ChatGPT for a quick translation. Sadly, some of the words were mistranslated, and we failed to double-check the text before posting it," Kok explained.
The controversy arose when a news portal picked up the mistranslated statement and ran with a headline that misrepresented her message. The translation error involved the use of the word "memalukan" (to embarrass), which Kok said was not her intended meaning.
"I meant to convey that the government's enforcement of halal certification on restaurant operators could lead to negative reactions, both domestically and internationally. However, the word 'embarrass' was used in the translation, which was not what I intended to say at all," Kok clarified. The mistranslation was spread by the media before the error could be corrected, resulting in a highly sensationalized report.
Kok expressed her frustration with the situation, acknowledging that the media often uses eye-catching headlines to grab attention. "You know how it goes with the media. They love to use shocking headlines that give readers a 'heart attack,'” she quipped. While she understands the media's need to capture attention, she believes that the mistranslation played a significant role in the confusion surrounding her statement.
During the time of the translation error, Kok mentioned that she was undergoing acupuncture treatment and was unable to thoroughly review the translation herself. "I trust my staff, but I take responsibility for not having had the chance to properly check the translation before it went out," she said.
Despite the misunderstanding, Kok emphasized that she was not blaming the media for the incident. She explained that the media tends to focus on key phrases, and how those phrases are presented ultimately depends on the editor's discretion. "I don't hold the media responsible for this, but the mistranslation certainly added to the problem," she said.
Kok also acknowledged that she has faced similar challenges in the past, particularly with media outlets that do not share her political views. She referenced previous encounters with Utusan Malaysia, where she felt unflattering images or negative reports about her had been published. Nonetheless, she stated that she accepts what happened and is prepared to move on, saying, "I have faced many challenges throughout my career, and I will take this in stride."
The police became involved after Kok’s remarks on halal certification were reported, leading to a two-hour questioning session with authorities on September 10. She used the opportunity to clarify her position, reiterating that her statement was about reviewing the process of halal certification, not opposing it.
"I want to make it absolutely clear — I have never been against halal certification. In fact, when I was part of the Selangor state government and later in the federal cabinet, I actively promoted halal certification. My statement was in response to a proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, regarding halal certification for all food establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol," Kok explained.
In the end, Kok reiterated her support for halal certification and expressed hope that the misunderstanding would soon be cleared up. However, she also called for caution when relying on AI tools like ChatGPT for sensitive translations, stressing the importance of human oversight to avoid similar issues in the future.
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