Bung Moktar: We're fat, our economy's doing great

Bung Moktar was among two MP asked to leave the August hall after they refused to heed Mohd Rashid's call not to interrupt proceedings.

KUALA LUMPUR: The high rate of obesity in Malaysia shows its people are prosperous and well-fed, said Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.

"The Opposition leader says that many do not have the opportunity to work and lack a healthy diet – but I think this is fake news.

"There is no such thing. What I see is that our nation is blessed with abundance of food," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

He noted that food was so abundant here that most Malaysians overeat, which has led to high rates of obesity and a host of related illnesses, even resulting in death.

"Many die from overeating while many are also obese and contract diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases because they eat meat everyday," he said, drawing laughter from the House.

He offered to take Opposition lawmakers on trips to countries where food was scarce and its people are forced to scavenge for food.

Bung Moktar raised the argument in response to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh), who claimed that the rakyat was suffering.