Critical Thoughts

The de facto Minister of Religion in the Prime Minister’s department saying that he wants to help Sufiah Yusof.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister’s Department and the Malaysian Missionary Foundation (Yadim) will try to assist former child mathematics genius Sufiah Yusof, now aged 23 and fending for herself as a prostitute in Salford, Manchester. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Zahid Hamidi said they would help the gifted girl return to the right path through the “Save Sufiah Programme”.

“The first thing we should try to do is to contact her mother or arrange a meeting with Sufiah to find out the reason she turned to prostitution, offering her services through the Internet, using the name ‘Shilpa Lee’,” he said.

It was reported in the News of the World that Sufiah is now a $130 (RM821)-an-hour hooker operating from her dingy flat.

The “Save Sufiah Programme” is headed by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim who will come up with strategies to assist Sufiah.

This is all fine and dandy but I question the timing. Why only now? Why was no effort made years ago before she denigrated into this state?

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I remember her very well, since she was a product of my generation. At an age younger than me by at least four years, she stepped into Oxford (taking up Maths, no less!) while I was struggling in 2K1 at Sekolah Menengah Abdullah Munshi (and didn’t do well at Maths during that time, I admit). But while I have today become not only a problogger but also Internet activist, what has she become?

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