A weighty lot of words

Much was said by many notable people. Here’s a collection of some of the more memorable quotes.

We need to have this government today without delay. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. There is a lot of mess in the country and we need to attend to this mess as soon as possible. (On his hopes to be sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister by 5pm on May 10)

I am already stretching my time for as long as possible. I am working 24 hours a day. If you can find me more time in one day, like 36 hours, I will also work for 36 hours. ( While commenting on claims of low attendance of Cabinet ministers and their deputies at parliament sittings, and if he planned to put in place key performance indicators (KPI) for them)

It’s very luxurious, super luxurious. I have been on yachts before but nothing like this. Everything is superb, and bought with stolen money, by crooks. We’ll get at the crooks. (After touring the 1MDB-linked Equanimity superyacht for an hour)

I am able to confirm that the country’s debt is above RM1 trillion. ( The day after clocking in at the ministry) ― Lim Guan Eng Don’t ever cry. I don’t want anybody to cry. ( To supporters at Najib’s trial) — Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor If it is not missing, show us where the money is. (Responding to those who claim that the RM18bil Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds are not missing) Yes, I’m still alive. (Responding to ‘Hidup, Tun’ shouts) ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

It is an irony when Malaysians voted for cheaper petrol prices and abolished tolls, and they did not get it. Instead, they were ‘rewarded’ with higher car prices. (After Dr Mahathir said that the government will review the national automotive policy) ― Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

I miss him (Karpal Singh) the most because I think he should be the one here really enjoying the moment with all of us. (On his wish that his father Karpal Singh was around to savour Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the May 9 polls) ― Gobind Singh

Do your work first. Jangan sibuk nak jadi menteri (Don’t be in a hurry to become a minister). Work has to go on. (Chiding some Pakatan leaders and reminding them to be mindful of their ambitions to be Cabinet ministers.)

The challenge for the new government is to make sure that the media is free. (On the importance of media freedom in New Malaysia) ― Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Whatever I can do for your country, whatever I can do for justice, whatever I can do to help your country recover the money that was stolen, I will. (In response to whether he will be willing to testify in a trial here involving

1MDB) ― Xavier Justo

In my ministry, you don’t need to know me. You only need to know how. Knowing me will not give you an advantage in any project. Make sure you know how. (On how knowing the who’s who will not help businesses get a government project under the new administration) — Yeo Bee Yin

Yang Berhormat, please sit down and don’t run away. ( The day after the Opposition staged a walkout during the swearing in of MPs) ― Yang di- Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V

MCA will not foot the bill for Umno. (On how MCA has decided not to take into consideration Umno’s interest when there is a need for MCA to speak up) — Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong

Of course we are shocked. I think this is the biggest seizure in the country’s history. (On the collective value of the items seized from Najib-linked residences and office being estimated at between

RM900mil and

RM1.1bil)

If the outfits of air stewardesses are revealing, then don’t stare at them. (In response to a PAS MP on whether he felt that uniforms of Malaysian flight attendants were too revealing, compared to their international counterparts) — Anthony Loke

Your service has been invaluable bro (sic) since our campaigning days. Stay strong and I’ll always respect your decision. You’ll always be a bro. (In a tweet to his former press officer Numan Afifi, who had resigned following backlash over his lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activism) ― Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

We unequivocally oppose child marriages and are taking steps to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years. My officers are already working on this. (On the case where a 41-yearold Malaysian man married an 11-year-old Thai national) ― Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail

Tell us exactly who had taken the chocolates and we will investigate further. (In reference to a statement by Najib’s lawyers alleging that chocolates had gone missing from a fridge at one of the premises following the

police search) ― Datuk Seri Amar Singh

Any decision on UEC will be made within five years of the new administration following a holistic study on the matter. (On the Unified Examination Certificate

UEC) — Dr Maszlee Malik

Transgenders are a reality that we cannot avoid. We live with the reality and must ensure that they are given justice. The transgenders are not asking for extra rights, such as same-sex marriage. They just do not want to be hurt and discriminated against. It does not matter who, but you cannot hurt fellow Malaysians. (Following the removal of transgender advocate Nisha Ayub and

LGBT activist Pang Khee — Datuk

Dr Mujahid Teik’s portraits from a photo Yusof Rawa exhibition at the George Town Festival, which he had ordered)

Those who owe money to banks do not get their names blacklisted by the Immigration Department if they are inconsistent or stop their repayment. Their names are only blacklisted when they are declared bankrupt. So we need to be consistent on this. Just because we are the government, it doesn’t mean we can do things at our whims and fancy. (On freedom of movement being a basic right which is why the government removed PTPTN defaulters from the travel blacklist) ― Teo Nie Ching

At the moment, we cannot hold local government elections because of the country’s financial problem, but the Pakatan Harapan-led government hopes to carry out the polls in three years time. However, for the time being, I want to see gender priority in all local councils. More women should be given a role as councillors. (On her wish to see local councils have at least 30% women councillors) ― Zuraida Kamaruddin

He has made it a habit of exceeding expectations. (On Dr Mahathir’s election win) — Datuk Seri Nazir Razak

What happened was we became delusional; we got drunk on our own Kool-Aid and we got carried away. (On why Umno was decimated in GE14) ― Khairy Jamaluddin