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Muhyiddin explains 'Apa Khabar' greeting in his speeches

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is known for his relatable speeches, usually accompanied by anecdotes of ordinary people like the now famous Makcik Kiah and Pak Salleh.

The approach has also never failed to include the common Malaysian greeting 'Apa Khabar'.

Asked on the thought process behind his speeches, the prime minister described them as "ordinary."

"My speeches are ordinary, as I always remind myself. Even if I am the prime minister, when I take part in an interview or explain things, I have to know who my audience is.

"My audience is the people, who are generally laymen. They must be able to understand what the prime minister is saying.

"It has occurred to me that if I read (the speech) like those in the United Nations, people may not be able to comprehend; this is not the place for that (style)," he said in a special television interview with RTM and Astro Awani tonight.

The interview is his first since assuming the post of prime minister in March.

Like many Malaysians, Muhyiddin has been savvy in observing the latest trends on social media, including his 'Ke sana ke sini' line in one of his speeches which has since become a catchphrase and even immortalised in song.

The latest, he noted, was a Facebook page in which ordinary Malaysians share their disastrous attempts at cooking at home during the MCO. The page has since garnered a huge following.

"I know it (the page) is quite popular on Facebook. This approach of simple language is quite effective so I take that approach. What is important is our audience, our people."

Muhyiddin said he also understands what is expected of him.

"What they expect is for us not to say something that is incomprehensible, which would render the message ineffective. So it is now the way to deliver speeches. I hope the people are able to accept it and understand them easily."

His norm of saying 'Apa khabar' in his speeches, he said, is more than just a greeting.

"We might be healthy physically, but in this current situation, there are many challenges we face. Thus, it is important to make sure that we keep our body healthy.

"When we are healthy, we will know what to do and would not be distracted by health issues like high temperature and others," he said.

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