PETALING JAYA: The daughter of Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah has defended her father over the "sleepyhead" remarks directed at him on social media.netizens had poked fun at Ahmad Bashah after he was caught on camera dozing off at an official state function.
“The ‘sleepyhead’ who is being insulted and made fun of is my abah (father). I am proud of him,” Azira Hafiza wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Azira Hafiza also defended her father against criticisms that he only possessed SRP-level qualifications, saying he had to give up further studies to look after his family.
“Yes, abah has no high qualifications. No Masters, no PhD, or a diploma, overseas degree, let alone a motivational speaker or professional trainer.
“That’s because abah had to assume the duties of a father, and take care of his siblings after his father passed away. He sold eggs, durians, drove a lorry, you name it,” said Azira Hafiza, who is Ahmad Bashah’s youngest daughter.
She said no one knew or saw how her father and the Kedah Umno machinery suffered after the state fell to the Opposition in 2008, and how his children rarely got to see him in the days leading up to the 13th general election.
She hit back at "keyboard warriors” who considered themselves infallible, asking them to say a prayer to God if they were so displeased about her father becoming the new mentri besar.
Azira Hafiza said she had forgiven those who had insulted and abused her father.
“I represent the family in seeking forgiveness and forgive all of you who insulted and abused abah, because you don’t know him. Abah has us.
“I also pray that the wives, husbands and family members of these keyboard warriors are blessed by God, get to study overseas, and are not struck by lightning,” she added cynically.
Ahmad Bashah, who is Bakar Bata assemblyman, took his oath of office as mentri besar on Thursday after Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir tendered his resignation.
Ahmad Bashah had led a group of Umno leaders in the state calling for Mukhriz’s resignation last month, claiming that they had lost confidence in his leadership.
.jpg)
.jpg)
