What's in a bag?

It seems one must now be particularly mindful of the handbag they carry before making any political statements.

Hawa Yaakub, the Malacca Pas women’s wing information chief, faced ridicule after claiming that some people in Malaysia were dying of hunger due to a shortage of local rice under the “Madani” (civil and compassionate) administration. 

Social media users wasted no time highlighting a perceived contradiction between her concerns for the poor and the luxury Louis Vuitton handbag she was seen carrying.

This led to insinuations of hypocrisy, a slander that her Islamist party would likely view as a serious transgression.

For those unfamiliar with high-end fashion, Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s premier international fashion houses, offering luxury bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing, perfumes, shoes, jewellery, watches, sunglasses, accessories and books.

If such a disconnect exists in Hawa’s case, then other ruling politicians driving Mercedes Benzes or other luxury vehicles might also lack the moral standing to express concern about issues like muddy water in Kelantan or persistent poverty in Terengganu and Sabah.

Hawa, as she rightly pointed out, is now likely to see her Louis Vuitton handbag linked to other controversial topics, such as BlackRock and Tiger Beer – a tired and predictable narrative.

Additionally, contrary to claims by some on social media, her Louis Vuitton handbag does not exceed the RM90,000 mark. It is not as though she is indulging in a Birkin handbag, which might set tongues wagging even more.

To our knowledge, she is not known for an insatiable desire to collect branded shoes that would overflow her wardrobe. Nor is she likely to be swayed by those who, as Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde put it, “know the price of everything and the value of nothing”.

It is clear that she doesn’t deck herself out in gold, despite the material’s popularity among certain groups. She seems to embody the old adage of cutting one’s coat according to one’s cloth, without a desire for unnecessary extravagance.

That said, it is not sinful to want to look stylish and presentable, especially for politicians who cultivate a public image of good taste. Of course, substance must come before form, and we believe Hawa has what it takes to be a skilled politician.

In her defence, Pas headquarters rightly pointed out that owning a luxury Louis Vuitton handbag is halal, as it is not made from the skin of prohibited animals. Nor, as some might jokingly suggest, is it made from human skin – though there are those whose ‘thick skin’ could make for durable fashion accessories.

It is fortunate that Pas takes no issue with the monetary value of such worldly possessions.

Ultimately, we should be cautious about allowing this handbag distraction to overshadow Hawa’s genuine concern for the needy and her efforts to address social inequality. – The Malaysian Insight

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