In muted response, Nga shows clipping about praise for ministry

Nga Kor Ming made no mention of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, who had described Nga as being a “stupid” minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Federal minister Nga Kor Ming, labelled as “stupid” by Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, made a subtle response today by saying “Let the facts speak for itself” in an online posting accompanied by a news headline about royal praise for his ministry.

The headline “King accords recognition to KPKT on the ministry’s excellent performance” was about an audience with the King in March when Nga, the minister for local government and housing (KPKT in the Malay abbreviation), presented his ministry’s performance review.

In his posting today, Nga commented: “We care, we serve and we deliver. We shall focus on continuing to perform and make Malaysia a nation well respected in the eyes of the world.”

The news clipping included a photograph of Nga in an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

Nga made no reference to Akmal, whose comment about Nga being “stupid” had come after Nga had earlier posted that an elderly couple had their wages cut by a fast-food chain which was the subject of a prolonged boycott.

In recent weeks, Akmal has pressed for a boycott of KK Mart shops over socks bearing the word “Allah” found in a KK Mart in Bandar Sunway.

On Tuesday, the king granted an audience to Umno and DAP leaders, including Akmal, and urged them to cool the political temperature.

“I also hope that political leaders are not extreme in their views pertaining to racial and religious issues. Not just DAP and Umno, but all parties. Leaders must be a bridge or link between Malaysians with examples of mature behaviour,” Sultan Ibrahim said.