On 15 May, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob returned to Malaysia after concluding his 4-day working visit to the United States (US).
In a video shared on his socials, it can be seen that the prime minister is being greeted by a crowd of some 400 people including UMNO leaders, students and youth at the airport, welcoming his return while carrying several banners and singing the song ‘Inilah Barisan Kita’.
According to Bernama, Ismail spent about 30 minutes greeting the crowd.
In his post, he wrote “Unexpectedly, a lot of people have come to welcome my arrival. Being able to meet everyone has made me lose the feeling of tiredness after the long journey.”
Alhamdulillah selamat sampai ke tanah air 🇲🇾
— Ismail Sabri (@IsmailSabri60) May 15, 2022
Pulang ke Malaysia tercinta setelah melakukan lawatan kerja ke Amerika Syarikat bagi menghadiri Sidang Kemuncak Khas ASEAN-Amerika Syarikat di Washington D.C. pic.twitter.com/Jmktpa4oQZ
However, netizens were not convinced by the ‘crowds’ and claimed they were all fake, and revealed that some were paid to go to his arrival.
In the comment section, a netizen shared an unverified screenshot of a conversation and asked the prime minister to explain the message.
The message reads, “Looking for 100 people to greet VVIPs at Subang airport. Have to be there on Sunday at 8:00 am. RM100 per head.”
Betul ke ni ade orang share?.. pic.twitter.com/LW6sjFW2gQ
— Hafidz Hamzah 🇲🇾 (@HafidzHamzah7E) May 15, 2022
Despite the unverified message, netizens appeared to believed that the crowd were paid to be there.
“How much are they paying, I wanna join, I need money,” a netizen jokingly said.
Meanwhile, several MPs have also criticised the crowds that welcomed the prime minister home. Many said that it was just another publicity stunt and marketing gimmick.
On Twitter, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh wrote, Unless you win the World Cup or bring home a gold medal at the Olympics… having such a welcome home party is a plain joke.”
Unless you win the World Cup or bring home a gold medal at the Olympics… having such a welcome home party is a plain joke. What kind of assistants our PM hired to do such foolish cosmetic gimmick. From Women Minister to PM – all just about cosmetic! https://t.co/wpr0KWqGd6
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) May 15, 2022
“What kind of assistants our PM hired to do such a foolish cosmetic gimmick. From Women Minister to PM – all just about cosmetic!”
On the other hand, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii also expressed similar comments as Yeoh’s and said, “How much was spent for such gimmick to welcome the PM for just coming home after a meeting overseas?”
“Even our athletes who have won international competitions on the biggest stage are not given such a reception,” he said.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
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