PMX Apologises & Explains Use of ‘K*ling’ During Talk, Says He Was Quoting Book About Hang Tuah

It appears that Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) is once again in hot water, this time over a word he used while speaking to students at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) di Tanjung Malim, Perak, on Thursday (December 21).

During the session, DSAI spoke about Hang Tuah and his knack for languages, including Tamil. Though, DSAI referred to Tamil as ‘Bahasa K*ling’ (K*ling language).

“He started off with, of course, Bahasa Melayu, but he was also good at Bahasa Jawa (Javanese), Bahasa Siam (Siamese), and in former terms, Bahasa… Bahasa K*ling, Bahasa Tamil back then,” he said. He even hesitated and paused before using the K word.

Following this, many condemned him for his use of a racial slur, which led him to apologise and also attempt to justify the use of the word.

He said that the use of the word was to quote the book, Hikayat Hang Tuah, which mentions Hang Tuah’s love for knowledge and learning languages. He went on to explain that the use of the word ‘K*ling’ was taken from the term ‘Kalinga’ from Hang Tuah’s era.

“For those who misunderstood, I’m sorry, it was not my intention at all. I am the last person to cast expressions that insult races and religions,” he added.

You can check out both the video of him using the word, as well as the video of him explaining himself here: 

When your Indian school Children return to school, they will be subjected to be abused on the word “KELING” on them becos Anwar says it’s OK to use it!
???
pic.twitter.com/HBT6Og2wXa

— jediMASTER (@jedimaster909) December 23, 2023

Saya bukanlah individu yang suka bermain sentimen menghina kaum dan agama sehingga mencetuskan salah faham melibatkan mana-mana pihak.

Sewaktu “Sesi Dialog Perdana Menteri bersama Ketua Pengarang serta Pengarang-Pengarang Kanan Media Elektronik, Media Cetak dan Dalam Talian”… pic.twitter.com/SF6VXunvUi

— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) December 23, 2023

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: Machang MP Urges PM Anwar to Amend Constitution to Only Allow Muslim Malay Prime Ministers