KUALA LUMPUR: It is not very often one comes across authorities or lawmakers turn mocking and teases to their advantage, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim is definitely one of them.
In a recent interview with the media marking her one-year anniversary in the government, the minister was rather amused over netizens taking pot shots at her.
“I know netizens made fun of me on my comments about consuming a spoonful of red palm oil to stay young,” she quipped, adding that this piece of advice was actually given by the 94-year-old Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that she repeated.
“But I am fine with people making fun of me, the most important thing is that they are learning about palm oil in the process,” said the minister.
In fact, all these cynical comments and potshots actually attracted people’s attention to palm oil and related issues.
“Two days ago, an opposition Member of Parliament asked me about red palm oil and I came to know that it was also discussed at the Perak State Legislative Assembly. This is exactly what I wanted, more people to know about palm oil and its health benefits,” she said during the interview that stretched to nearly an hour.
In fact, Kok admitted that it was only in the last 10 months that she actually learned about palm oil and its benefits.
“Ten months ago, I didn’t have passion in palm oil and I did not know all the value and benefits that this crop has and in fact, I have openly said in a forum that I used to fry fish using olive oil and have people laughing at me.
“But today, I have learned all the benefits of this versatile crop and I am calling all (members of our) society to stand up and improve our product knowledge so that as a society, we can stand up to together promote our palm oil,” said Kok, who has such a zest when talking about the industry.
“Imagine going to Japan and telling the Japanese not to eat wasabi or going to Korea and telling them ginseng is not good… they (the Japanese and Koreans) will react to you and list down all the benefits of their products, because they know their products well.
“But here in Malaysia, even our doctors are saying negative things about palm oil, and that this why we need to have the ‘Love MY Palm Oil’ campaign,” she said, adding that Malaysians need to support and protect the country’s golden crop.
Kok, who refused to rate herself despite the coaxing of media members, said, “It is you, Malaysians and the industry that should rate me.”
Bravo minister! – Bernama
