Editor’s Note: IT IS always healthy to have different views. The following contrast of view about Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh’s recent success at the 95th Academy Awards as the best actress in a leading role in the comedy-drama film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is testament that Malaysians are a critical lot who see things through different lenses.
Well, every Malaysian is entitled to their personal belief whether they would agree with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Ipoh-born international actress has created history by being “not just the first Malaysian but the very first Asian actress to win in this category” or otherwise.
Well, we shall pit two contrasting views – as verbatim as possible from the Facebook – of two renowned personalities on Yeoh’s latest achievement.
We start the ball rolling with the views of Kee Thuan Chye, a Malaysian actor, dramatist, poet, writer and former journalist. In the realm of social activism, Kee, 69, has authored numerous books like “No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians” and the book’s sequel “Ask for No Bullshit, Get Some More!”
Interestingly, Kee’s critique of Yeoh has been ‘harshly’ rebutted by Tan Sri Vincent Lee Fook Long who is the group executive chairman of Foetus International Sdn Bhd, a one-stop centre for advertising, marketing communications, public relations and event management. Lee is also the founder of Naga DDB, an advertising agency that has been around for more than 30 years.
I DON’T see why Malaysians are so ecstatic about Michelle Yeoh winning the Oscar.
What is so Malaysian about her? She went off to Hong Kong to start her acting career, then moved on to Hollywood. She presumably comes back to Malaysia for holidays.
Has she done anything for Malaysia? Has she even helped the Malaysian film industry in any way? Does she invest the millions she makes in Malaysian films? Not as far as I know.
She got a few titles from Datuk to Datuk Seri to Tan Sri (in 2013 – note the year). Was that just for achieving the honour then of being chosen as a James Bond girl and becoming successful in Hollywood?
Her partner, Jean Todt, reportedly got a piece of land on an island off Terengganu. He also got a staggering million-ringgit fee to be our tourism ambassador! That worked out to an annual fee of RM593,000 and another RM388,000 to pay for his holidays in Malaysia.
What on earth was that for? The Malaysian government under Datuk Seri Najib Razak then approved it. It would have to account for that.
Well, in 2013, Michelle Yeoh openly supported Najib for the upcoming general election then. Is there a connection?
“I hope from the bottom of my heart that he will remain as the prime minister (PM) and I ask all of you to give him a strong mandate,” she said.
But when she told her audience, “I am for Malaysia’s best PM. So can you show me here your support for the PM?”, she was greeted with jeers instead.
Truth be told, many people cringed at her support for Najib. His subsequent conviction for corruption and 12-year prison sentence vindicates that feeling.
Najib Razak “best” PM? Seriously?
In 2018, cartoonist Zunar aptly said that from what Michelle Yeoh did, she was far worse than the loyalists of Najib’s.
Today, she won the Oscar. Good for her. In any case, she won it because of the right timing. Hollywood is celebrating diversity like nobody’s business and this year seems to be the year of Asians.
The Best Actress category this year was also relatively thin. Except for Cate Blanchett, the other actresses lack hype and clout – although they do not lack talent. I thought Ana de Armas was very good in “Blonde”.
It’s not always about talent as far as the Oscars are concerned anyway. Politics and the sentiment of the Academy members come into play as well. And that could be how although Michelle Yeoh has often been critiqued as a wooden and one-note actor, she got the prize.
Should Malaysians be jubilant over her victory? Did she credit Malaysia for it?
I also ask again, what has she done for the country?
WHO is this Kee a**e h*l*? He himself achieved nothing.
Done nothing for the country. Michelle worked hard for her career!
As tourism ambassador for the country, she was paid zero cent! I was the one that requested her to help the country then. Without hesitation, she said yes. No payment.
As a Malaysian, we all must help the country, she said! Its national service she said. That was years ago. We started Malaysia Truely Asia. She didn’t ask for a cent to help the country. A true Malaysian! She was not paid at all!
As for supporting Najib, the 1MDB wasn’t exposed yet, hence she was not aware. So can’t blame her. We all hated Najib. Fine.
This Kee fella must be an ultra a**e h*l*.
Instead of rejoicing, he attacked a fellow Malaysian for bringing fame to the country. Yes, she may have made a mistake here and there, who doesn’t? Are we all saints?
As for working in Hong Kong, (do) you have (a) choice? That’s where she honed her acting skills. In Malaysia, there is no market and no training ground. Can Kee Thuan Chye help her? Sorry, no way.
Tell me of any successful Chinese who bloom in Malaysia. No way, only can bloom in HK (Hong Kong), China and Taiwan.
Please, Kee, don’t be an a**e h*l*.
I think Michelle should sue him for saying she was paid millions as Malaysia’s tourism ambassador.
I can be (her) witness! Dear fellow Malaysians, Michelle was not paid a single cent when Naga DDB launched Malaysia Truely Asia!
Thank you, Michelle!
Truly,
Tan Sri Vincent Lee – March 14, 2023
Main pic credit: Los Angeles Times
