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It’s Faiz’s foot that did most of the talking
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YOURSAY | ‘He was there to receive the Fifa award, not to compete in Toastmasters International contest.’

Faiz: I could not speak in Malay as no interpreter was provided

Anonymous #44199885: Mohd Faiz Subri, you scored a very special goal and this was globally recognised.

You have made us proud regardless of your command of the English language. No one should take that from you just because you cannot speak English.

It is more important for our current batch of leaders and emissaries to be proficient in the language as they represent the country on the world stage on matters of greater concern.

Rocky: Yes, he is a football player, not a teacher or a politician. So why all the fuss? Congrats to him.

Kingdom of the Blind: Faiz was there to receive Fifa's best goal for 2016 award, not to compete in Toastmasters International contest, where the world champion of public speaking is chosen. Let’s be fair and realistic.

Anonymous_1421406986: It would definitely be better had he spoken in Bahasa Malaysia and dressed in Baju Melayu, but he has already explained the reasons.

At least the world now knows that the people of Malaysia speak English and he definitely did a good job marketing the country to the world.

Let us not be too critical about him. Not many get a chance to stand on a world stage surrounded by emperors and kings of football and in front of dozens of TV cameras and flashing lights.

To say that his speech was less than in stellar English is a cruel observation. I think he managed his speech well. It was probably the first time he ever gave a speech.

And how can we criticise him for not being ready with his speech before the winner was officially announced.

Guyintheglass: Why does Faiz even have to explain himself? No one has managed to even get nominated, let alone win it. You’re the man. Focus on your game. Ignore the sour grapes.

Sleepy: Your English is not as important as your beautiful goal. No need to apologise or give reasons for the language used but congratulations for that beautiful goal in that beautiful game.

Worldly Wise: His poor command of English is caused by Abdul Razak Hussein impulsively removing the English language from our children’s school curriculum.

Previous to that Malaysians spoke the best English in the Commonwealth. Malaysians spoke perfect English when Englishmen spoke cockney and what not.

Anonymous_1419577444: Faiz, what matters was the skill you showed, not whether you speak Malay or wear baju Melayu. Well done and congratulations!

If only Faiz's critics could score award-winning goals

Kid: Never mind his English but do not undermine the goal he scored. That free kick that Faiz executed in Penang was not a fluke as some critics have claim.

I had the opportunity to witness it at the City Stadium that night. He may not be the best player in Malaysia or Penang, but Faiz had scored some marvellous goals in the past.

To those critics, please watch the video clip of him scoring a similar goal when he played for Kelantan against Sarawak in the Super League 2013.

As for his command of the English language, what do you expect of a Malay-medium student; it is not his fault but the education system in this country.

Not only Malays can’t speak proper English but also the Chinese and Indians. That is what Terence Netto was trying to emphasise in his article.

Gaji Buta: The speech is for the audience at the Fifa awards. If he spoke in BM, not a single word would have been understood, unless an interpreter was provided.

At least with English, the audience knew that he referred to his father and mother in his speech, and heard him clearly say 'thank you' with all sincerity - I believe on two occasions - which is the most important word.

Cocomomo: The command of English should not be an issue here. He is a footballer who brought honour to the country in the midst of the corruption, racism and religious bigotry whipped up by the politicians.

Faiz did not pretend to be good in English. Some of our sportspersons have brought smiles to our faces, while other so-called leaders have brought shame and dishonour.

Telestai!: Faiz is a footballer and English isn't his mother tongue. He is not a statesman who addresses the United Nations and therefore ought to be proficient in English.

Besides, it was his foot that did most of the talking.

Minister cites FB founder to warn netizens against fake news

Hplooi: Much of the filth, outright lies and flame-baits actually come from the Umno-controlled press and outsourced black ops.

A good case in point is the scurrilous (and criminal) tarring of an innocent boy (just because he is the son of the CM of Penang) via social media. Six years on, it is still no-action-all-talk.

Or the sharing of fake news in a tit-for-tat disinformation campaign by the Umno blogsphere over Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad, the honourable member from Terengganu.

What is outrageous is that Umno can talk with a straight face on morality or the lack of it.

Telestai: Nice try, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak. Unfortunately, all 1MDB news are spot on.

NNFC: Which part of 1MDB is fabricated? Can the minister explain.

Democrat: Well, minister, as long as you have ‘fake news’ coming from the mainstream media like Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, Berita Harian, TV3 and RTM, we will have to depend on the Internet and Facebook.

As long as you control these media with an iron grip, we will continue to source for the truth from elsewhere.


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