Newly-Constructed Billboard Welcoming PM Ismail Sabri In Flood-Hit Area Draws Criticism

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On Monday, 23 August, Ismail took his maiden official trip as the premier to Kuala Muda to visit the people affected by the recent flash flood, reported Utusan Malaysia.

During his visit, reporters captured photos and videos of the billboard which read "Welcome and congratulations Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob over the appointment as Malaysia's 9th Prime Minister".

According to a photo of the billboard taken by Danial Saad from New Straits Times Press (NSTP), the billboard was made by officers and residents in Kuala Muda.

Among the people who had voiced their discontent is comedian Harith Iskander Musa, who shared in an Instagram post that not only is the billboard display a waste of public funds, but also a lack of taste.

"It will take a whole cultural shift. And the argument that 'eleh, bila ada billboard gambar Adun awak tak cakap apa pun (when there was a billboard with the picture of your state assemblyperson, you didn't say anything) does not hold water," he wrote in the caption.

"Billboard itu tak dibina waktu bencana alam (the billboard was not built during a disaster)."

Harith added that he is "100% convinced" that the premier did not ask for it as "no one in their right mind would".

Political satirical artist Fahmi Reza also posted a four-panel edited photo showing the billboard construction process, which is built right in front of the flash flood-stricken zone.

"This is a disaster area and someone erected a billboard welcoming and congratulating the 9th PM. What the actual f*ck?" read a quote tweet with over 3,700 likes.

"This kind of thing that I really, really don't understand since last time. You are in a state of disaster, but you had the time to put up the billboard?! You have misplaced your sense of pride. The flood should have taken these b***ards away," read a reply under Berita Harian's video.

"What is the function of this billboard actually? Why should it there be, lol? Better to use the money and manpower for other things that are more important," a Twitter user said.