KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 — A Malaysian social media page, a spin-off localised version of the popular “Be Like Bill” meme, has gained over 260,000 “Likes” on Facebook in the three days since it was first set up.
The “Jadilah Seperti Rashid” (Be like Rashid) page posts up memes based on everyday scenarios and the best practise it associates with it and has become viral following for its often humorous, satirical content in Bahasa Malaysia.
The page’s administrator posted yesterday that it hit 200,000 “Likes” before it was online for 50 hours. In comparison, the original “Be Like Bill” page has over 900,000 “Likes”.
It also addressed a popular question from readers who asked how they chose the name Rashid for its title character, which means ““rightly guided” in Arabic.
“We feel that a lot of people today go about their everyday routine the wrong way. We are trying to guide them back through messages in simple graphic for
“As Muslims, we know the best example is Rasulullah’s, but as long as what Rashid does does not go against the teachings of Rasulullah, what is the harm?” the page administrator said.
The page has talked about “Rashid’s” practise of using indicators while driving, waking up when the alarm rings instead of snoozing, deciding how much money to take before reaching the ATM machine so as not to hold up the queue, and social media behaviour he deems appropriate while asking readers to follow his example.
Among the most popular posts, one titled “No Racism” has gained over 7,000 Likes and over 3,000 shares.
“This is Rashid. Rashid is Malay. Rashid has an Indian friend named Saravanan. Rashid has a Chinese friend named Ah Lim. Rashid has never told Saravanan to return to India or Ah Lim to return to China. Rashid knows we are all Malaysian. Rashid is Smart. Be Like Rashid.”
Another post chastised those who were inconsiderate while at petrol stations.
“This is Rashid. Rashid doesn’t like parking his car at the petrol pump and then go inside to buy a KitKat. Rashid knows that there are those behind him who want to fill up their tanks too. Rashid knows they are behind him waiting. Rashid realises this is not his father’s petrol station. Rashid is smart. Be like Rashid.”
