It seems that the Movement Control Order (MCO) isn’t only taking a toll on us Malaysians, but on our ministers as well.

In the latest episode of 'Ministers Triggering Netizens', Higher Education Minister Dato’ Dr. Noraini Ahmad has found herself in the spotlight.

'Letih aku tengok perangai Menteri'

On Wednesday night (8 April), the minister uploaded some promos on social media for a TikTok contest organised by her and her team:

The contest was supposed to take place from 8 to 14 April and winners will stand a chance to walk away with mystery prizes, the minister said.

What’s even more worrying was the fact that the influencers involved in the campaign were invited to Dr. Noraini’s office in Putrajaya, amidst the MCO.

The three of them recorded a TikTok video together to promote the contest which, sadly, made everyone cringe.

Netizens wasted no time in criticising the minister, as she should’ve concentrated on other pressing issues during the pandemic or MCO period.

As with the previous few social media missteps, the Parit Sulong MP deleted her campaign a few hours later after receiving severe backlash from Malaysians:

Di musim wabak, KPT boleh aturkan satu pertandingan mencipta Test Kits serta Pertandingan Menggunakan Artificial Intelligence Dan Machine Learning Antara Students and University-Industry Researcher. Jaga status mahasiswa.Malangnya Menteri sibuk dengan TikTok Contest pula.. https://t.co/m9XehvRBaN
— Pakcik (Akaun Baru) (@JalalMisai) April 9, 2020

What if i told u, not everything shud be di social media kan. Example paling dekat, Menteri TikTok.Approach wise? Tak menyeluruh langsung.Consensus nk dekatkan diri dgn student? It’s there.But machinations? Failed terribly.
— r/syazwani (@AnnieVeeee) April 9, 2020

Apa kebendanya Menteri Pengajian Tinggi buat contest TikTok pulak ni?Letih aku tengok perangai Menteri sekor-sekor pic.twitter.com/gozK4dTFPx
— Hafizol Hakami  (@HafizolHakami) April 8, 2020

Walaupun Menteri badut TikTok dah delete tweet, jangan risau jangan gusar.Video dia saya dah simpan exclusive untuk tontonan anda semua.Enjoy! https://t.co/PUXSSzDGCl pic.twitter.com/C8uOYnitgR
— Hafizol Hakami  (@HafizolHakami) April 8, 2020

I’m so disappointed with Dato Noraini. Collaborating with Noreen is a big mistake. She’s not even a good role model at the first place. Your PR team did a terrible job in advising you to do TikTok. I know you’re trying to reach out to the youth but that’s just a terrible move
— فريد فريش (@faridfarish) April 8, 2020

Ya Allah, dah la Menteri buat contest Tiktok, collab pulak dgn Noreen yg lawak syok sendiri tu, I haven't watch the promo vid yet but I bet it's gonna be cringy af ??. Putting my hazmat suit on before watching it ?☢️
— shafiq (@shafiqshahari) April 8, 2020

I can accept tiktok contest tapi amikla orang yang like ada kaitan dengan KPT??? I mean someone yang do well in studies also boleh je buat jadi awareness campaign but yea you Menteri kot should come out with something better https://t.co/NDOD4tZk5j
— نورالهداية (@dayahjamal97) April 9, 2020

I don't mind a Menteri TikTok. But is it the right time for such an agenda?
— ZeLL (@zellkrism) April 9, 2020

Di bawah kerajaan baru kita dah ada Menteri Air Suam, Menteri Doraemon, Menteri Pembetungan..Fuh, Menteri Pengajian Tinggi pula secara rasminya dinobatkan sebagai MENTERI TIKTOK!Ini ke cara paling bijak dia boleh fikir nak bantu students dalam tempoh PKP? ??‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/oVRy2LQBHf
— Harian Becok (@HarianBecok) April 9, 2020

Alahai Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi....ingatkan nak usaha mcm mana nak bawak pelajar pulang ke kampung atau setel pengajian universities online...rupa2nyer ajak main TikTok.toktik sungguh!
— tmek (@_tmek) April 9, 2020

Student university sibuk pasal online learning mcm mn nk buat, Menteri pulak sibuk pasal tiktok. bazir duit je lah bayar gaji kau. https://t.co/4aNikU8Isb
— ㅤfarezammar (@FarezAmmar) April 9, 2020

Well, the damage is done now.

Let’s hope the minister learned from her mistake and continue to move forward.

Higher Education Minister Slammed For Running TikTok Contest During Pandemic

'Letih aku tengok perangai Menteri'