#SiBodohKauDengarSini Trends As Netizens Debate About Eateries Closing Too Early
"Never mess with Malaysians when it involves food and when they are hungry. Let food businesses operate until 10pm!"
By May Vin Ang — 19 Jan 2021, 02:55 PM
Netizens frustrated with restaurants and eateries closing too early during the Movement Control Order (MCO) have sent the hashtag #SiBodohKauDengarSini trending on Twitter
The issue arose as food outlets are only allowed to operate from 11am to 8pm daily for the two-week MCO from 13 January to 26 January.
The earlier closing time means people have to pick-up takeaway orders before 7.30pm, while food delivery services take last orders by 7pm.
The matter started to a small Twitter spat between three users
On Sunday, 17 January, someone lamented that they had missed dinner two days in a row because their delivery orders fell through and they had no other options left for food.
It was met with a reply, which called them to not make a fuss and to simply order their food earlier, which can be reheated for dinner.
The indifferent response prompted anger from a third Twitter user, who went on a rant to explain why the issue was not as simple as that.
"Si bodoh, kau dengar sini (Listen here, you idiot)," they began.
"Due to the shorter operating hours, the whole of Malaysia will be ordering around the same time. Do you know how many times our delivery apps hang because of this? We already don't have time to cook because we come back late from work but now have to put up with this," they wrote.
"The government is asking the people to find a way around, but why can't they just extend the operating hours? Aren't these short hours also making life difficult for the ones who prepare our food?" they questioned.
Amused with the passionate reply, other Malaysian Twitter users began using the hashtag #SiBodohKauDengarSini to highlight their similar woes on social media
"My husband had to rush back home to buy dinner just now. He made it at 7.30pm but all the restaurants were closed anyway. The restaurant rations food so that there will not be any leftovers by the time they close at 8pm," someone Tweeted using the hashtag.
Another Twitter user agreed, saying, "Closing restaurants at 8pm is not a good idea. I mean, let restaurants be open until at least 10pm or 11pm. But do not allow dine in. Only takeaway. Isn't that easy?"
The hashtag has since amassed over 66,000 Tweets, and as of writing, is still trending on Malaysian Twitter
"The power of the Malaysian people on Twitterjaya. #SiBodohKauDengarSini is still trending at number one in Malaysia," observed a netizen.
"Never mess with Malaysians when it involves food and when they are hungry. Let food businesses operate until 10pm!"
Meanwhile, the phrase has gone on to be used in other contexts and has quickly achieved honorary meme status
