A Malaysian influencer has sparked outrage online after hosting an extravagant birthday party for her young daughter and sharing footage of the event on social media.
Farhana Zahra, an entrepreneur in the beauty and health supplement industry, hosted the lavish celebration in honor of her 11-year-old daughter. The event featured a grand entrance, luxury gifts, and a dramatic tone that quickly drew public criticism.
According to The Straits Times, a video posted by Zahra shows her family descending a grand, gold-themed staircase that resembled something out of a palace.
Zahra can be seen holding the hands of her two daughters as they walk down the ornate steps toward the party venue. Her husband follows behind, carrying their youngest child. The video also includes scenes of the family and guests singing “Happy Birthday” together on an outdoor stage.
Luxury Gifts and a Tone-Deaf Comment Spark Backlash
The opulence didn’t stop at the décor. Zahra showcased a series of high-end birthday presents, including an Apple iMac, a Rolex watch, and a seven-seater Toyota SUV. In one surprising gesture, she even gifted a Mercedes-Benz sedan to her daughter’s former chauffeur.
But what truly ignited public outrage was Zahra’s comment in the video. “Forgive me, sweetheart,” she said to her daughter. “This is all I could do for your birthday. I only managed to spend one million ringgit.”
That amount—1 million Malaysian ringgit—is roughly 236,000 USD.
The video has since garnered more than 2.4 million views, with the majority of responses being sharply critical.
Social media users were quick to weigh in, accusing Zahra of flaunting her wealth and using the event for self-promotion. Comments ranged from “It’s clear she just wants attention” to “Gifting a luxury car to an 11-year-old who can’t even drive is completely unrealistic.” Others criticized the parenting message behind such displays, saying, “This isn’t how you raise a grounded child.”
A few voices came to her defense, suggesting Zahra’s intentions may have been rooted in parental love. “She probably just wants to give her children the best she can,” one commenter wrote. “If you earn a lot, you spend a lot,” another added. Still, such supportive views were in the minority.
Zahra is no stranger to criticism. In 2023, she made headlines for gifting her then-5-year-old daughter a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, worth around 390,000 USD, as a birthday present.
And in 2022, she faced backlash after posting a video of herself withdrawing nearly 437,500 USD in cash from a bank ahead of Hari Raya, one of Islam’s most sacred holidays. Many saw the move as a tone-deaf display of wealth during a spiritually significant time.
Comments0