KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — British songstress Dua Lipa has addressed the minor storm that was created last month when she affectionately called her father “babi” on Instagram.
The term, which means “pig” in Bahasa Malaysia but “dad” in her parent’s native Albanian, drew uncouth remarks from Malaysians who mocked the “New Rules” singer in her dedicated birthday post.
She later changed the caption from “Happy birthday babi” to “Happy birthday dad”.
Now in an interview with fashion magazine L’Officiel, Dua Lipa expressed disappointment in the hurtful jokes fired from a handful of social media users here.
“It was actually quite mean on their behalf because obviously I’m not talking in Malay,” she said.
“I speak another language as well, and the language that I speak with my parents is my heritage. I would like that to be respected.”
Fans had then pleaded with Dua not to cancel her show here after she was mocked for using the word “babi” on Instagram last month.
Other Malaysians denounced the troublemakers, writing apologies and telling their compatriots they need not attack others for speaking in their own language.
Only a matter of weeks beforehand the UK artist had announced she was bringing her The Self-Titled Tour to Kuala Lumpur on May 3.
The singer’s record label confirmed there was no change to her scheduled performance.
