In defence of anti-Bersih post, Zahid’s daughter says she has the right to speak up

(Malay Mail Online) – The daughter of deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today declared that she has as much right to speak up as any Malaysian, as she defended her earlier posts on social media criticising the Bersih 4 rally over the weekend.

Posting several photos on her Instagram account, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid said she was not being snobbish or arrogant in her critique of Bersih 4, after having received “personal attacks” over her previous postings.

“If I was snobbish or arrogant or boastful, I will not be open to making friends with people I don’t know. I am not a member of Parliament or assemblyman of your constituency.

“I am a Malaysian citizen who has the right to speak up. I did not touch on racism or race. I only questioned the sanity of some of you who slept on the streets, apparently for the sake of voicing the truth,” she posted on her @sayanurulzahid account.

Nurulhidayah said she took responsibility for her earlier posts and defended them as “freedom of speech”.

“I am responsible for my words. I am responsible for my freedom of speech. I am also responsible so that some of us will not be manipulated. Even though Government or opposition, all have to change,” she said.

Nurulhidayah stressed that she did not hire anyone to put up such posts on her behalf and she herself posted such as it was her “instinct”.

Yesterday in a Facebook post, Nurulhidayah said the weekend Bersih 4 rally was stupid work and that it would be better for the protesters to join the army instead.