Malaysian film star Michelle Yeoh has been heavily criticised following a report that she will attend a function in support of the country’s ruling coalition as a divisive election looms.
Supporters of the political opposition, which is mounting a serious challenge in the May 5 polls, branded the 49-year-old star of The Lady and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon a traitor and government stooge.
The controversy erupted after a report last week said Yeoh, Malaysia’s most internationally known celebrity, would attend a huge dinner party this Saturday attended by Prime Minister Najib Razak and other ruling coalition leaders.
The event near the capital Kuala Lumpur is being put on by a group of Malaysian ethnic Chinese business figures and aims for 55,000 guests in a bid to set a new world record, reports have said.
Yeoh is a source of pride in Malaysia for her successful acting career but the reaction has highlighted Malaysia’s deeply polarised politics.
Internet users said the report indicates that Yeoh supports the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which is struggling to prevent a slide in support over persistent allegations of corruption, authoritarianism and misrule.