RECENTLY, American commentator Bill O’Reilly sparked outrage with his remarks dismissing Malaysia’s economic relevance during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour.
On his “No Spin News” YouTube channel, O’Reilly mocked Xi’s visit to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, claiming, “The Malays aren’t gonna buy your stuff. They don’t have any money.”
He later doubled down, citing Malaysia’s household per capita income of US$5,731 compared to the US’s US$42,220, suggesting Malaysians couldn’t afford “a little hat” or “Chinese takeout” and were “barely eating.”
He also mistakenly claimed former US President Barack Obama was raised in Malaysia, confusing it with Indonesia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim swiftly rebuked O’Reilly’s comments as arrogant and ignorant, accusing him of a trapped mindset rooted in imperialist attitudes, xenophobia, and racial prejudice.
Speaking at a Finance Ministry event on April 18, Anwar emphasised Malaysia’s economic resilience, noting its 5.1% gross domestic product growth in quarter four (Q4) of 2024 and robust trade with China, which reached RM484.12 bil in 2023.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also dismissed O’Reilly’s income figures as outdated, affirming Malaysia’s upper-middle-income status.
On X, the public reaction was fierce. Malaysians and regional voices condemned O’Reilly’s remarks as condescending and misinformed.
A post by @lokmanrml praised Anwar for standing up to O’Reilly, calling him an “arrogant & ignorant fucktard” and urging other nations to resist such attitudes.
X users in general demanded a firm response from Malaysia’s PMO, stressing the need for respect from Western figures.
Media outlet Berita Harian also criticised O’Reilly for living in a shell while others highlighted his persistence in claiming Malaysians couldn’t afford basic items.
Some labeled O’Reilly’s mindset as shallow, reflecting broader frustration with Western stereotypes about Southeast Asia.
O’Reilly’s comments, laced with factual errors and colonial undertones, have fueled a narrative of defiance in Malaysia.
Anwar’s sharp response and the public’s outcry on X underscore a rejection of outdated Western biases, positioning Malaysia as a confident player in global trade and diplomacy.
The episode highlights the power of social media in amplifying national pride and challenging global misconceptions. —Apr 27, 2025
Main image: The Rakyat Post
