IN a surprising turn of events, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying’s inability to answer a question about the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) during the Dewan Rakyat question and answer (Q&A) session has not only put the coalition government’s competence under the microscope but also left the nation - including the Chinese community - chuckling and shaking their heads in disbelief at the Lim’s family legacy.

Hui Ying’s surprising lack of preparation alarmed Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor while emphasising the necessity for the coalition administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to concentrate on planning, communication and responsibility.

With many finding it difficult to believe and making jokes about how this could happen, especially given the political history of the Lim family, this extraordinary episode has been the talk of the town in both political and public circles.

As a prominent political family in the country, the Lim family - led by Lim Kit Siang - has been synonymous with advocating for democratic reforms and good governance.

However, the recent incident involving Hui Ying, the sister of former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, has raised worries about the family’s political conception and the DAP influence on the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition government’s performance.

Even the most severe institutions, like the Parliament, can have paler moments!

While this unexpected event has tickled the funny bones of the nation, it also raises serious questions about the coalition’s ability to govern effectively.

The incident has stirred discussions about the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective communication - all while inspiring a few cheeky memes and punchlines.

To address these concerns and prove that this blunder was just a comical hiccup, the PH-BN administration must demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that all ministers and deputy ministers are adequately briefed and prepared for parliamentary sessions while addressing any internal communication issues that may have contributed to this incident.

By taking decisive action to resolve these issues, the government has the opportunity to not only restore public confidence but also prove its competence in governing effectively.

The recent incident involving Hui Ying serves as a stark yet humorous reminder that the coalition must work diligently to address the needs and concerns of the people, demonstrating a commitment to good governance and effective leadership.

Ultimately, we acknowledge Hui Ying’s apology for being unprepared, but the damage had already been done. Everyone loves a good laugh, but the government must ensure it doesn’t become the joke’s punchline. - March 28, 2023

Mahathir Mohd Rais is the Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief for the Federal Territories. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/hui-yings-humourous-blunder-is-a-slap-to-her-familys-legacy-claims-pn/