It’s human nature to compare – whether it’s your neighbour’s greener lawn or another country’s policies.
In Southeast Asia, these comparisons often pop up online, fuelled by frustrations, humour, and sometimes, a plea for help.
Indonesians Ask M’sians To Bully Their Govt
One recent tweet turned into a lively conversation between Indonesians and Malaysians about welfare systems and government accountability.
The tweet by Indonesian user @sugondese6666 stood out: “Dear Malaysians… we need your help,” it read, asking Malaysians to “bully” the Indonesian government while praising Malaysia’s welfare policies.
The idea? To pressure their government to do more for its citizens.
“Help us bully our govt. Kindly help us to spread how good Malaysia is compared to Indonesia in terms of welfare,” the tweet added.
Malaysians React with Humour and Curiosity
The tweet quickly caught the attention of Malaysian netizens, who responded in ways that ranged from sarcastic humor to genuine curiosity.
One shared a meme captioned, “Me, a Malaysian after hearing I got drafted to make fun of the Indonesian government (I haven’t done it for a long time).”
Others chimed in with playful comments, like, “What kind of welfare are we talking about, bro? Zakat and aid, perhaps?”
But not everyone saw it as a laughing matter. Some Malaysians pointed out that their own country has its fair share of issues.
This led to a clapback from an other users: “Do you think Malays don’t have problems with their own government?”
From Jokes to Genuine Frustration
As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the tweet struck a chord with many Indonesians. Social media has often been a platform for venting frustrations, and this was no exception.
Many Indonesians used the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with their government, particularly when comparing it to Malaysia’s welfare initiatives, like financial aid and free healthcare programs.
However, not all Indonesians agreed with the idea of asking for external help. Some felt embarrassed, arguing that Indonesia’s issues didn’t warrant foreign involvement.
