Even Swine Are Laughing At Us

Just because it was very hard to pronounce H Satu N Satu for kampung people and I was not happy about it, I would call it swine flu even it was actually influenza A(H1N1).

By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily

I have mentioned before that Malaysian humour was not funny at all. But this time, I laughed, and I could not stop laughing.

I laughed that some people were so naïve and some people were so pathetic while some made Malaysia well-known in the world.

I laughed as when the whole world knew that the southern Malaysia has become the latest A(H1N1) influenza infected area, our Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican still insisted that it was only a rumor.

I laughed as we had a new definition for the word rumor, which means that other than the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Health Minister, Health Director-General and Director-Generals of other ministries, words from others are all rumors.

I could not stop laughing as when the whole world was following the World Health Organisation’s instruction by calling the new influenza A(H1N1), Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim intended to force state-run radio and television Malay programmes to used “swine flu” as it was confusing by calling it H Satu N Satu.

I laughed as the name of a new influenza could actually be changed based only on a minister’s preference.

Just because someone did not take my face into account and I was not happy about it, so I would say no even it obviously did have.

Just because it was very hard to pronounce H Satu N Satu for kampung people and I was not happy about it, I would call it swine flu even it was actually influenza A(H1N1).

These reasons seem ridiculous, but don’t be surprised; they are from our Health Director-General and Minister. I am sorry; it was us that think these are ridiculous, they are alright with it.

For some public figure, face saving would be the priority and they could just turn the truth into a lie. For them, prejudice could cover up everything and they could talk black into white. They could simply confuse right and wrong.

They claimed it was to avoid confusion but the people had never been confused before. But they are now confused and wonder whether there is influenza A(H1N1) in Johor and what is A(H1N1) to do with swine?

The influenza has become more and more serious but our ministers are still acting weird like this. It is not only the world is laughing, but swine are laughing at our ignorance, too!