KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 28): Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is the latest to criticise Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan who suggested that people hold down two jobs to cope with higher cost of living.

“A minister should be lucid, smart and quick to solve the problems of the people and nation.

“If wits and agility are not required to become a minister, what is the advantage that warrants salary and special allocations for those in the position,” he said on his official Facebook page, DrMaza.com, adding that ministers should offer workable solutions.

The mufti did not mention any names in the Facebook posting but it is believed he was referring to Ahmad.

Ahmad’s suggestion that Malaysians should hold down two jobs to cope with the rise in cost of living has resulted in scorn and criticism.

His attempt to defend himself on microblogging site Twitter, saying that he held three jobs as a deputy minister, Pontian MP and Umno information chief, also backfired with him as the butt of jokes.

“I have three jobs: Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister, Umno information chief. Many in Malaysia are already holding two jobs #2Kerja. Work hard for halal income,” Ahmad posted using his Twitter handle, @ahmadmaslan.

(Saya ada 3 kerja: Ahli Parlimen, Timb Menteri, Ketua Penerangan UMNO. Ramai dah di Msia yg buat #2Kerja. Berusaha gigih cari rezeki yg halal.)

Local comedian Harith Iskander also appeared to take a dig at Ahmad, posting via Facebook and Twitter that although he was a known as an emcee, writer and actor, among others, it did not mean he held so many jobs.

“I am a comedian, emcee, writer, actor, coach, director. That does NOT mean I have 6 jobs. It means I do 6 different things.

“In the context of a government servant you could say I hold 6 different posts.

“A job is something you do every day all day. So for a person to have TWO jobs that would mean they work minimum 2 x 8 hour shifts a day.

“That’s 16 working hours. A day,” he said.