Minister Says Decision To Remove Cooking Oil Subsidy Is Good For The Rakyat's Health

In a statement that shows how out of touch the rakyat's elected representatives are from the needs of the rakyat, Sarawak Local Government Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said that the Government's decision regarding the removal of subsidy for cooking oil should not be viewed negatively, as it would be good for the rakyat's health.

One of Sarawak's top cardiologists before entering politics, he said that people should see this as an opportunity to "shop healthily, cook healthily and eat healthily".

He even suggested that people should go for alternative styles of cooking like steaming, baking or grilling which reduced oil usage.

He was reported saying so together with celebrity Chef Wan after they witnessed a successful attempt by the Plaza Merdeka shopping centre in Kuching to come up with the biggest bowl of Sarawak Laksa to be recorded in the Malaysia Book of Record.

Following the news reports, Malaysians took to Facebook to take the Minister to class, calling his suggestion "ridiculous", "stupid", and "talking cock".

A sample of some of the comments posted online:

"You should also remove government hospital subsidies so that all medical treatment will be super expensive and people will be afraid to be sick and lead a healthy life."

"This minister is talking cock and through his nose, what has subsidy got to do with healthier diet stupid?? It's the opposite Idiots. Poorer people will have to settle with poorer quality cooking oil because of the price increase, what sort of stupid Dr is Mr Sim Kui Hian and who is he trying to fool??"

"Removal of corrupt politicians will lead to healthy and prosperous Malaysians..."