Health minister mocked over ‘500 countries’ claim


Aminah Farid

Health Minister Adham Baba is being mocked on social media for claiming to have spoken to '500 countries' throughout the world on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 19, 2020.

AN attempt to prop up beleaguered Health Minister Adham Baba’s credentials was lampooned on social media after he claimed that he had spoken to 500 countries.

In a Facebook live session with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the health minister also said he was confident that what he had done so far in his capacity as the minister was recognised globally.

“I have had video conferences with the WHO (World Health Organisation), I did a live video conference with the health ministers from China, Singapore and also a live conference with Asean ministers,” he said.

“I have done video conferences with the WHO, (and) 500 countries,” he told the Umno president.

The minister also praised himself for using the tagline Kita Mesti Menang every time he made an appearance or posted something on his social media. 

Adham also blamed the previous government for failing to curb the tabligh cluster, which sparked from a gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque on February 27. 

“If the tabligh cluster was prevented, there would be no second wave. We may only have small clusters,” he said in the call, which was live-streamed on Zahid’s Facebook page.

Former minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Adham should be providing stewardship for the Health Ministry and not blaming the previous government for the situation.

“Faced with a grave epidemic, the nation would like to see the minister providing stewardship and strategic leadership that can complement the role taken on by Health director-general (Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah),” he told Malaysiakini.

Dzulkefly told the portal that if Adham insists on finding fault over the Sri Petaling cluster, he should be aware that approval for such gatherings falls under the Home Ministry’s purview, not the Health Ministry’s.

The Pakatan Harapan government collapsed on February 24 after then home minister Muhyiddin Yassin pulled his party, Bersatu, out of the coalition. Muhyiddin was then appointed prime minister of the new Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Social media users on Twitter ridiculed the health minister’s statement that he had spoken to 500 countries. There are 195 countries in the world.

Casual Malaysian on Twitter congratulated Adham on finding and recruiting an additional 305 countries into the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

“It was Adham Baba who first explored the world, not Christopher Columbus. #MalaysianPride” said Amirul Hakim on Twitter. 

“I feel like Dr Adham Baba performs best when he isn’t in the frame, and doesn’t say anything or do anything.” said Kapten Kahan, another Twitter user. 

Learique on Twitter said Health Director-General Noor Hisham and Adham are 500 countries and light years apart. 

“One is a breaker of circuit; the other short circuit.” he said. 

JustinTWJ on Twitter said the health minister must be unhappy that he doesn’t get as much appreciation as former health minister Dzulkefly, who was often praised. 

“Meanwhile, he’s still being ridiculed over his ‘air suam’ comment and now tryna (trying to) claim 500 countries listened to him,” Justin tweeted. 

Zaidel Baharuddin @Sinatra Z reminded Adham not to blame the PH government as the majority of the current ministers are from the previous cabinet with the current prime minister being the home minister at that time.

Last month, the health minister drew criticism from social media users and health workers after he said on national television that drinking warm water can kill the Covid-19 virus. 

He also earned ridicule when he declared there are 15 states in the country. – April 19, 2020.


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Comments


  • Everyone in Malaysia knows he is not fit to be the Health Minister. If he has any dignity left, he should resign and leave through the backdoor although that will never happen because he was appointed by the Backdoor Prime Minister.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

    • Panchen,,,PN was elected after PH self-destruct and Agong appointed the new govt based on majority support. If you dont agree with Agong then berambus balik China.

      Posted 4 years ago by Jeff Amg · Reply

    • I agree, Panchen balik China and you balik Indonesia. Fair and square. ;)

      Posted 4 years ago by Tikus Besar · Reply

  • why are we mocking a small issue. he called the same country 2.5 times, hence the 500 countries. So he is not lying.

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Is he really the best Muhyiddin could get? In the midst of this pandemic, this is the GUY?????? Come on. Even is the best of times, he would be a complete failure. Why the hell is he still there?

    Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • UMNO should replace some of its cabinet ministers. They are seriously tarnishing UMNOs image. Who would want to vote for them? We have have the dumb, dummer and dumbest UMNO Ministers and this guy takes the cake.

    Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

    • is he from DUMNO?...i thought from Moo's party?...not any better considering'' our backdoor '' malay first, ....'' pm....but facts are facts.

      Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

    • Elyse. DAP is worse. Lim Guan Eng corruption and peddling a fake accounting degree. So how? The dumbest Finance Minister in history.

      Posted 4 years ago by Jeff Amg · Reply

    • Jeff ang seems to be practicing his skills at lying through his dentures! LOL!!! Show proof lah regarding his fake accounting degree.

      Posted 4 years ago by Tikus Besar · Reply

  • I wonder on which planet there are 500 countries. Are we run by aliens????

    Posted 4 years ago by Thomas Samuel · Reply

  • End results of 60 years of ketuanan education and brain conditioning.

    Posted 4 years ago by Neo apartheird 101 · Reply

    • Neo - you are the product of 22 months brainwashing by the Pakatan Hancing

      Posted 4 years ago by Jeff Amg · Reply

    • A typical overcheap but cheap brained dUmno cyber mercenary. Where's the proof lah, you don't even have a shred of evidence.

      Posted 4 years ago by Tikus Besar · Reply

    • A typical overcheap but cheap brained dUmno cyber mercenary. Where's the proof lah, you don't even have a shred of evidence.

      Posted 4 years ago by Tikus Besar · Reply

    • and you n your species are the shit of 60 years constipation of bani klepto passumnoh ketuanan berok.

      Posted 4 years ago by Neo apartheird 101 · Reply

  • Check his education background. Check his grades in secondary school and university level. All hot air, hot water and hot bull.

    Posted 4 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

    • Actually he did graduate from UM but didn't spend much time in practice since he was quite heavily involved in umno politics. But surprisingly his common sense and knowledge seems to have gone out of the word eows.

      Posted 4 years ago by Tikus Besar · Reply

  • Adham u are no where close to Abdullah. The Best Health Minsiter for malaysia is ABDULLAH none other.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • In every class there bounce to have a couple of clowns we had ahmad mazlan than we had mazlee and now we have adham wonder who is next

    Posted 3 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply