Due to that, it is overreacting to the issue, said PKR’s Tian Chua.
He said the government hoped to intimidate people in the hope others will not speak up.
“If not, why would they go after an artiste who spoke on cost of living?
“Sheila is a citizen of this country and she is entitled to her opinion, whether she supports the government or not,” he told FMT.
In a tweet last Tuesday, the popular singer also complained about the weak ringgit, expensive food and scarcity of jobs.
Chua was asked to respond to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan who had tweeted earlier that in other countries, celebrities, comedians and even porn stars had a say on issues affecting their nations.
“Some even decided to become full-time politicians. But these celebrities have a track record of involving themselves, for years, in issues they are passionate about.
“They attend and organise talks, participate in discussions, etc. They rarely tweet, one or two times, and expect people to understand their motives,” Rahman had added.
Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah had expressed surprise over the jazz singer’s complaint about the high cost of living.
“Why’s she complaining about the cost of living? What’s her income?” he had said.
Irwan claimed people were complaining as they were living beyond their means and urged them to live within their income.
Tian Chua reminded Putrajaya that Sheila’s tweet reflected the conditions many people were experiencing now.
The Batu MP said the government is being defensive as they are aware it is how people are feeling on the ground.
“The way they are reacting is almost like using an atom bomb to kill a dove,” he said, taking into consideration the reaction by the government on the issue.
Instead, he said, the government should just take note of these sentiments and comments and do something about it.
He said failing to respond to Sheila’s tweet properly would encourage more artistes to voice out their opinions on the high cost of living.
He likened it to spring when flowers would keep blooming despite efforts to crush them.
“They (government) can crush the first flower and stop it from blooming, but it will not stop other flowers from blooming.
“They may try hard but the ice is already melting and the sun is getting warmer. And the flowers are blooming,” he concluded.
Rahman Dahlan invites Sheila Majid to EPU briefing on economy
Irwan Serigar surprised why Sheila complains about cost of living