It ain’t oRDinArY

Good news! There are no more cases of the flu virus A(H1N1) in Malaysia. This happens due to the fast thinking of our Information Minister. In no time, I think we will gladly inform the world that there are indeed no cases of A(H1N1) over here as we only have “swine flu”.

As reported by the media a few days back, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim suggested all media return to using the term “swine flu” instead of H1N1. He said this was to ensure that the people realised the danger of the disease and to get the message across to them more accurately. It is also easier for (radio and television) announcers to state “selsema babi” (swine flu) than H1N1 in Bahasa Melayu.

It seems that the radio and television announcers in Malaysia is very bad in pronounciation therefore the need to have easier words for them to read. Selsema Babi is indeed easier than H-satu-N-satu. Just as how Encik should be easier to pronouce than Datuk-Seri-Dr. Now, why didn’t he suggest simplifying his protocol? So, if in any case this Encik get infected by selsema babi, does that make him non-halal?

Another reason pointed out by our beloved Encik who is in-charged of giving “Information” is that renaming it to “swine flu” will ensure that the message is brought across accurately. I totally agree on this, hands down. Imagine the following scenario:

Mr.A : Why is it called swine flu? I thought WHO renamed it to A(H1N1) to avoid confusion?
Mr.B : We, Malaysians are smarter than WHO. A(H1N1) will confuse people. Swine Flu will not!
Mr.A : Oh, does this means that all the cases now comes through contact with pigs?
Mr.B : Nope. The world is in panic as this flu is currently transmitted through humans.
Mr.A : Do we then get infected if we eat pork?
Mr.B : Not much of a chance if the porks are cooked.
Mr.A : Since pork is non-halal, is it a “dosa” if we get infected?
Mr.B : No!
Mr.A : Hmm…I think I get it. The Swine flu is currently transmitted through humans and not through pigs, we do not get infected if we eat cooked pork, and it is not “haram” getting infected.
Mr.B : Yup, you are correct. That is why we renamed it to “swine flu” even when it basically has nothing to do with swine. This will ensure people like you will not get confused

So, we should glorify our Encik with “Information” as there are currently no new cases of A(H1N1) in Malaysia. We only have a few “swine flu” cases that is not related to swine.