Mat Sabu: I Didn't Tell A Foreign Diplomat Named John That I'll Make Roti John For Him
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said that he will sue anyone who spreads the fake news.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 18 Feb 2020, 07:13 PM
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu has broken his silence on an allegation that he joked with foreign diplomat that he will cook roti John for them
In a columnist's piece published in The Star last Sunday, 16 February, the writer claimed some ministers are incompetent and that they should not be handed a Cabinet position simply because of their position in their party.
"Last week over lunch, a diplomat told me that a Malaysian minister met a high-level official named John from his country," wrote the columnist.
"Your minister said, 'Your name is John. In my country, there's roti John. If you come to my country, I can cook roti John for you,' the diplomat related."
The columnist added that the exchange between the unnamed minister and the diplomat took place during a high-level security meeting.
After the piece caught the public's attention, many placed their bets on Mohamad Sabu, as the unnamed minister as he is known for his culinary skills
In response, Mohamad Sabu's aide came out to clear the air on the issue yesterday, 17 February.
Amin Iskandar confirmed with Malaysiakini that Mohamad Sabu is not the person implicated in the piece.
Joining in the rebuttal, Mohamad Sabu stated that he will sue anyone who insinuates that he is the person who cracked the joke
"This is an utter lie published in The Star," Mohamad Sabu told Free Malaysia Today from the United Kingdom yesterday.
"Had these people named me, I would sue them for defamation. The claim is wholly a fabrication."
Mohamad Sabu also responded to his predecessor, Hishammuddin Hussein, who had mocked him over his alleged joke
Former Defence Minister Hishammuddin mocked Mohamad Sabu for using an African proverb to explain Malaysia's security dilemma in the past.
"Not long ago there was a buzz about a Pakatan Harapan minister's story on elephants fighting at an international summit," Hishammuddin said, "This time, it is about roti John. I hope the story is fake."
Unfazed by Hishammuddin's jab, Mohamad Sabu advised him to worry about the suspicious contracts he made during his tenure as the Defence Minister instead, as the ministry is currently conducting a forensic audit on the case.
