As the Bapa Pembangunan of Malaysia, Mahathir is often viewed as a living patriarch for our nation. So watching this video of Tun doing the Mannequin Challenge feels akin to the feeling when parents started to come on Facebook.
It was no coincidence that services like Instagram and Twitter started to become more popular afterwards.
Unlike the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014 however, this Mannequin Challenge proves to have some staying power. Occurrences have grown scarce over 2017, but every now and again you will see a Mannequin Challenge video being posted by either a business or even a group of friends. It’s not as vibrant as it once was, but the Mannequin Challenge scene is far from dead.
This was the scene that this new MannequinChallenge video enters, which begins with a slow pan of people in what seems to be MVQ Music‘s studio.
As per usual with these Mannequin Challenges a continuous shot moves throughout the space that ends in a recording studio, with an adorable shot of two people sharing headphones. By the end it is clear that Tun Mahathir is the grand finale to this entire endeavor standing along with his wife Siti Hasmah. The #noteworthy moment is Mahathir’s cheeky wink that brings an end to the whole video.
Tun M joins other notable political figures that have completed the Mannequin Challenge like Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.
Netizens Are Caught By Surprise
Of all the things that will go viral today, nobody would have expected to associate Tun M with the Mannequin Challenge, especially now that Tun Mahathir is 91 and Siti Hasmah is 90, respectively.
Politically-charged comments aside, netizens have mixed reactions to Tun Mahathir’s participation in the challenge. Most people seem to have enjoyed his cheeky wink at the end, as proven by the many comments in the video pointing it out.
Rose Translation: Hahaha, cute right?
Ainur Translation: Isn’t it? I was surprised when he winked.
But other than that, netizen reactions are mixed. There are even some who are calling out to Prime Minister Najib Razak to respond.
Suzanne Translation: No matter what anyone says, Tun M doesn’t lose anything.
Abdul Razak Translation: Cool. Other Mannequin Challenge kids usually either play with their phones or pretend to take selfies. Only a true boss makes it look realistic.
Herman Translation: In time, you will see Najib Razak doing this as well. Just you wait. #respectmyPM
Adea Translation: That last wink is so win… lolz!
Encik Ganyang Translation: Even at 91 years old, he’s still so sporting!
Maman Translation: 91 Years Old? Mannequin? New Party? Why don’t you sit in a surau, learn religion and remember that death is coming. That is what Tun M should do.
This Is All Great. Now Let’s Move On.
Now that even Tun M has taken up the Mannequin Challenge, it feels like the Mannequin Challenge should finally be making its final rounds across the Malaysian internet sphere. Tun Mahathir was the least expected figure to partake in a trend like this, and hopefully this means that we’ve reached the end of the spectrum for all the possible people who could be challenging the Mannequin Challenge.
That’s it. It’s overplayed. Let’s just move on to bigger and better things now. Maybe we’re all just holding out until the next big challenge to come along.
I’m not sure what that challenge would be, but I have my suggestion:
Get Tun Mahathir or Najib to do #SaltBae, and then we’ll talk.