Oh how idiotic can a Minister be and look at their supporters! Nothing wrong to say you're sorry and moved on. You do not have to spin it because the more you spin the more stupid it looks! Look at his statement below

Swine flu? H1N1? Rais now says ‘use both’

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim has suggested that both the “swine flu” and Influenza A(H1N1) terminologies be used by the media in reporting the disease.

This was a better and more accurate way of reporting the pandemic to the public, he said. He added that many international media organisations such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Voice of America and Australian Broadcasting Corporation as well as search engines like Google and Yahoo were using the term swine flu.

“As a responsible ministry, we should use both terminologies when explaining the issue.

“We in the ministry will continue to use the easy-to-understand term. We will use the A(H1N1) terminology but for subsequent mentions, we will proceed with the term ‘swine flu’,” he told reporters after the launching of the “1Malaysia” logo by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here.

Rais said it would be up to the Health Ministry if it wanted to continue using the term Influenza A(H1N1) as stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

He also called on the media not to play up the swine flu issue as it could negatively impact the country, particularly its tourism sector.

Too much publicity would give the wrong impression among the public that the disease was more serious than dengue, which is still on the rise, he said. — Bernama

Comments which border on senility

written by No value, June 27, 2009

I believe the WHO has officially named this flu H1N1. If anything you might want to call this virus the Mexico-2009 influenza. This would follow the traditional way of naming a virus. Place and date.

The H1N1 influenza virus is not swine flu. H1N1 is not carried by pigs, it does not infect pigs. This influenza virus infects humans, and is carried by humans.

The H1N1 virus is hybrid between several strains of influenza viruses that infect birds, pigs and humans. So you might as equally call it bird flu.

In summary calling the H1N1 virus swine flu is misleading and inaccurate.

P.S: Rais you are making Malaysia appear stupid in the international press. 2009 has been a bad year for Malaysia image. So "Jangan memperbodohkan nama Malaysia!"

written by apam2009, June 27, 2009

is there any PROBLEM calling it SWINE FLU??? We muslim don't feel offended!!!Or perhaps those non-muslims feel 'shy' to use SWINE FLU!!! PLS PUBLISH and ANSWER!!!!!

written by apam2009, June 27, 2009
TO JIJOT

Dear friend....it has been tested and proven by modern science..there is a germ in the meat (or pork) that even you cook up to 500C it will remain there..pls do your reserach and do not deny it...at the first place, we the muslim did not feel offended if the WHO call it SWINE FLU...if the matter of fact, the virus did origin from PIG..just admit it..your statement is STUPID..it seems that non-muslim did not eat chicken and beef..common lar....do not be STUPID JIJOT