Warisan rep still unrepentant over 'sick and tired' controversy

KOTA KINABALU - Moyog assemblyman Jenifer Lasimbang is standing firm on a controversial Facebook post in which she took parents to task for asking her to find jobs for their unemployed graduate children.

The post, made yesterday, read: “Getting sick and tired of getting phone calls, WhatsApps and email from PARENTS asking me to look for a job for their children – unemployed GRADUATES!”

The message sparked more than 615 comments and was shared 119 times at the time of writing.

While many social media users agreed with her, others said she could have conveyed her message in a more diplomatic manner.

Those who agreed with her post said parents should not have to spoon-feed their children to the point of getting them jobs.

However, others said Lasimbang should resign if she is unable to take the pressure, and that elected representatives are expected to help their constituents.

Some also called her immature and compared her to politicians from the previous government.

But Lasimbang said she had other duties to attend to, and that while she is willing to do many things for the people, giving jobs to unemployed graduates is not one of them.

She added that she would not resign, nor does she feel embarrassed, saying that those who should be ashamed are the young people who ask their parents to contact her, asking for jobs.

When contacted, Lasimbang told FMT she felt she had successfully conveyed the message behind her post.

“I particularly love one comment that perfectly summarised my post, namely to reprimand those who look for shortcuts without working for their goals,” she said.

She also said she would not delete the post.

Lasimbang, who is the assistant education and innovation minister, said the state government has conducted three job fairs since taking over from the previous administration, and that unemployed graduates could look there for suitable jobs.

She added that there is another job fair ongoing now.

“My job is to create jobs. Yes, I have shown the people many paths to find jobs. But some still want me to find jobs for them. Do you think this is the right thing to do?”

She later uploaded a new post, thanking her followers for the positive comments and constructive criticism, as well as the personal attacks.

“I receive all with an open heart. The purpose of the posting was to open the mind and heart towards this worrying issue and I am genuinely concerned for our future generations,” she said.