TRNC Minister of Transport in war of words with citizens on social media over flowers

The TRNC Minister of Transport, Erhan Arikli was involved in social media controversy following a controversial comments made on Facebook on Friday, in which he accused other users of being “mentally ill.”

In a Facebook post on Friday evening, Erhan Arikli said “after social media became widespread, many mentally ill people have phones in their hands. They fire volleys left and right from morning to night with the understanding of ‘today, no matter who I insult, I will satisfy myself.’”

Referring to the incident in question, he said “today, there was a news item about landscaping done at Ercan airport. In addition to those who praised and congratulated this, the mental patients I mentioned above immediately vomited venom under the news.”

“Some friends said in good faith that this sentence did not suit a member of parliament, but this could not be farther from the truth. I am a politician, but I am not a sycophant of the public,” he added.

Additionally, he said “look, brother, we are Muslims, not Christians. In Christianity, the principle of ‘thou shalt turn the other cheek to anyone who slaps you’ is recommended. However, in Islam, there is ‘tit for tat’. Whatever someone did to you, you have the right to do the same to the person who did it.”

He had initially raised eyebrows with his initial comment on a Facebook post accusing other users of being “mentally ill.”

In the comments section of a post regarding the planting of indigenous flowers at Ercan airport, a number of people reacted negatively, suggesting that “basic problems at the airport should be solved” before flowers be planted.

Arikli reacted, writing “when I read some of these comments, I can’t help but ask ‘how did we raise so many mentally ill people in such a short time?’”

All comments on the post in question have since been deleted, and comments have now been turned off.

TRNC opposition party CTP leader Tufan Erhurman condemned Arikli, saying “once again, he could not control himself. Once again, Erhan Arikli was touched by the beauty of his brain and his soul.”

“Of course we make serious efforts to protect our mental health in this country where people like you carry titles such as ‘minister’, but the real question is not the one you are asking. The real question is how did these people become ‘ministers’ in this country? How many times? That’s enough! Shut your mouth!” he added.

The controversy continued on Saturday when Erhan Arikli, repeated for a third time controversial comments wherein he branded people criticising him on social media as “mentally ill”, hitting out at CTP, leader Tufan Erhurman.

In a comment under a post on Facebook written by Erhurman, Arikli wrote “your contribution to the upbringing of those mentally ill ones is great, Mr Erhurman.”

He added, “as for me being a minister, I didn’t ask you when I became an MP and I didn’t ask for your permission when I became a minister, but if you wish, I can get your permission for the comments I make on social media from now on.”

Cyprus Mail