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A preacher in Malaysia, known for his hardliner views, has hit out at actress Michelle Yeoh's historic Best Actress Oscar win.

Celebrity Muslim preacher PU Syed Mohd Bakri Syed Ishak said it is wrong to be proud of Yeoh’s victory, and he is not walking back his words.

He asked on Instagram: “How is winning an Oscar something to be proud of?”

“How does it make Malaysia proud? What’s to be proud of?"

“We cannot be proud of something that doesn’t benefit the faith,” he added.

“Leave it to the faithless.”

Rebuttals

As Yeoh is the first Malaysian and Asian to be awarded the honour, her win is not taken lightly.

The preacher's comments were met with swift rebuttals and backlash.

“Syed, can you just shut up for a bit,” one commenter said.

“Your endless preaching is making those from other religions hate you, you know that?”

Another commenter retorted: “What’s your problem? You jealous she got an Oscar?”

One commenter told him to live elsewhere: “I think you’re well-suited to a life in Afghanistan — living there will calm you down.”

Background

PU Syed's comments on pop culture are not new.

He took to Facebook on March 3, 2023, to criticise Blackpink for hosting their concert amid serious floods that have hit the country.

In 2019, he slammed K-pop boyband BTS as demonic and said their music would only lead Malaysians astray.

Top photos via PU Syed Mohd Bakri Syed Ishak Facebook & The Academy Facebook