Why Did Hishammuddin’s ‘China/Big Brother’ Comment Cause So Much Controversy?

Last Thursday, one comment made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hishammuddin Hussein, at a bilateral meeting in China, sent Twitterjaya into a frenzy. During his speech, Hishammuddin said, “you will always be my big brother (specifically ‘da ge’ in Mandarin).” That quote received widespread criticisms from academics, politicians and the rakyat. But why was that statement so controversial? We discuss.

Image: Hishammuddin Hussein's Twitter