International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan's tweet defending his earlier message on the social media site, advising Malaysians to take on a second job in order to earn more money. – Twitter screenshot pic, December 28, 2015.Datuk Ahmad Maslan (pic, below) today took to Twitter to say he has three jobs himself, in defence of his statement that Malaysians should hold two jobs if they wish to tackle the rising costs of living.
The International Trade and Industry deputy minister said other Malaysians had also long held more than one job for an honest living and used the hashtag "#2Kerja" to denote two jobs.
He tweeted in Bahasa Malaysia, "Saya ada 3 kerja: Ahli Parlimen, Timb Menteri, Ketua Penerangan Umno. Ramai dah di Msia yg buat #2Kerja. Berusaha gigih cari rezeki yg halal", which translates to "I have three jobs: Member of Parliament, deputy minister, Umno information chief. Many in Malaysia are already holding two jobs #2Kerja. Work hard for halal income," he posted using his Twitter handle, @ahmadmaslan."
In a following tweet, he gave examples of people working two jobs, such as farmers or village heads by day, who are grocery shop managers by night, rubber tappers doubling as farm workers in the evening and a mosque imam, who is also working in the palm oil plantation business.
He went on to say there were rules to be followed for holding two jobs that should be adhered to. However, there was no problem for those working on their own.
In another tweet, Ahmad Maslan said even opposition leaders Lim Guan Eng and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail wore three hats. He asked why his suggestion to hold a job with an added online business ended up inciting anger and much criticism. (Original tweet:" #2kerja YB Lim Guan Eng ADUN/MP/CM. YB DS Wan Azizah ADUN/MP/Ketua Pembangkang. 3 kerja. Saya cadang kerja yg ada + business online. Marah??")
DAP's Lim is Penang chief minister, Air Puteh assemblyman and Bagan MP while PKR president Dr Wan Azizah is the opposition chief, state assemblyperson (Kajang, Selangor) as well as Permatang Pauh MP.
Ahmad Maslan earned flak from the public after reportedly saying that holding down two jobs was not uncommon as it was done by many people around the world.
"I think it's not wrong (to have two jobs) in Malaysia, though we have regulations, but it is still one way to address the rising cost of living," he had said.
Many Twitter users were quick to denigrate his recent tweets with their own comments, telling Ahmad Maslan to filter his thoughts before speaking.
Hadi Mohtar, who goes by the handle @ady0206, said Ahmad Maslan was refering to ministerial posts and questioned if the relevant tasks of the role were fulfilled, adding his view that he did not think so. ("@ahmadmaslan pasal jawatan menteri 2-3 kerja, korang buat ke kerja yang diamanahkan? NOTHING AT ALL.. always talk without thinking.")
Another user on the microblogging site, @JustinTWJ asked Ahmad Maslan to consider tweeting less to prevent being regarded as stupid. ("@ahmadmaslan considering tweeting less so people don't get to see your stupidity leak all over Twitter. But for entertainment sake, tweet!") – December 28, 2015.
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