KUALA LUMPUR – Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming’s intention to wish a Happy Pongal Day for Hindus backfired after netizens called him out for using the term “Ilahi” in his greeting, today.
Nga’s posting on X, which he subsequently deleted following the backlash, which was originally in Bahasa Malaysia read: “Happy Pongal to all friends celebrating this festival. Hope that (all) are always blessed by Ilahi”.
Many Muslim users commented that the Teluk Intan MP should have removed “Ilahi”, which is another word used for “Allah”, and was inappropriate as his greetings were meant for Hindus, and not for Muslims.
“Dear sir, please remove the phrase “Semoga sentiasa diberkati oleh Ilahi”. Just leave it as Pongal ya,” said X user @Nazril_Iznil.
User @TAzuanAD said: “What does blessed be Ilahi have anything to do with Pongal day?”
The word “Ilahi” also means “Allah” according to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka website.
The country’s Hindu community is expected to begin celebrating Pongal tomorrow.
The annually celebrated four-day festival includes the preparation of the iconic sweet rice dish of its namesake, cooked in a traditional clay pot, which symbolises thanks to the sun god Surya for a bountiful harvest. – January 14, 2024