"I Like To Eat Kangkung" And A Few More Things Najib Has To Say About His Speech
Five days after a kangkung tsunami flushed Malaysia, Najib finally defends his kangkung statement. This is what he has to say.
By Judith Yeoh — 17 Jan 2014, 10:34 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
From Kangkung To Sotong...
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak once again hit out at critics who made fun of him over his "kangkung" remark, insisting that it was his favourite food.
themalaysianinsider.com
In the monthly assembly at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya today, Najib said that he used the kangkung as an example to explain the "supply-demand principle".
"When it is the monsoon season, prices of fish goes up and even vegetables," he said as the crowd burst into laughter at the reference to vegetables.
"I had used the kangkung as an example of the supply-demand principle. My favourite foods are kangkung and sotong (squid)."
The PM told staff at the ministry that Malaysia is not facing an economic crisis but it was important to start decreasing subsidies.
"Malaysia is not facing an economic crisis, but God willing will achieve 5% growth this year," he said.
themalaysianinsider.com
“I like to eat kangkung, you all like to eat kangkung. As such, I gave an example which everybody eats."
“I like to eat kangkung, you all like to eat kangkung. As such, I gave an example which everybody eats."
Image via kompas.com"I like to eat kangkung, you all like to eat kangkung. As such, I gave an example which everybody eats. If I use quail as an example, only certain people eat it.
themalaysianinsider.com
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today hit back at critics of his use of kangkung or water spinach for an analogy, saying the leafy green was popular with Malaysians.
themalaymailonline.com
"I was trying to explain the concept (of supply and demand) - that was why I used sawi (mustard greens), kangkung. But when I gave examples, people made fun of them."
“I was trying to explain the concept ― that was why I used sawi (mustard greens), kangkung. But when I gave examples, people made fun of them,” Najib said.
Image via themalaymailonline.com"The example should not be ridiculed by anybody."
The example should not be ridiculed by anybody because I gave the example on the principle of supply and demand which decides the prices of some of the food commodities not subject to price controls," he said.
themalaysianinsider.com
Apart from kangkung jokes, Najib also said stern action will be taken against kangkung traders who have raised prices of their leafy produce to profit from this situation
Najib also said he had ordered the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) to act firmly against traders who arbitrarily raise prices of goods.
Image via mkini.net"This is one way how we can help reduce the prices for consumers, particularly prices hiked up by unethical traders out to take advantage of the current situation."
themalaysianinsider.com
The Prime Minister also said he had ordered the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) to be more firm against traders who arbitrarily raise prices of goods.
thestar.com.mySpeaking of consumer prices, Najib is investigating how much sugar is used in one glass of teh tarik (so we Googled and found the answer)
Addressing consumer prices, Najib has ordered investigations to determine how much sugar is used in one glass of teh tarik
Image via templeofthai.comEarlier in his speech, Najib also said he has instructed the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to determine how much sugar is used in an average glass of teh tarik, a popular milk tea drink.
themalaymailonline.com
In 2012, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said the random nationwide survey showed the drink contained an average of 4g of sugar more than that recommended by the ministry.
"The ministry recommends only 8g of sugar per 100ml," he said after launching the Chempaka Medical Services Centre on Monday.
nst.com.my
This is so Putrajaya can calculate a reasonable price for consumers to compare to other restaurants
According to him, Putrajaya will then calculate a reasonable price for a glass of the drink favoured by Malaysians, which the public could use as a guideline to compare with prices at restaurants.
themalaymailonline.com
Apart from this, Najib said he and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin themselves would go down to the grounds to check on prices of goods more closely.
themalaysianinsider.com