Speaking at a dialogue organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here today, the special adviser to the prime minister on media and communications said pride and arrogance should not be the traits of politicians.
“This was the cause of BN’s fall (in the last election).
“And it will be the reason for the fall of PH if they are (equally) arrogant,” he said in reply to a question from a UMS student during the dialogue titled “Issues and Challenges in Strategic Communications in the New Malaysia Era”.
The student had earlier asked about the role of media advisers in ensuring that the messages by politicians could be clearer, saying he found many statements issued by “new politicians” after the general election had “too much arrogance”.
Kadir said a politician should be tolerant and ever-ready to listen to the people, adding that arrogance would make politicians think they were superior to everyone else.
He cited his former party, Umno, as an example.
“I was an Umno member for over 30 years (but) I left in 2015.
“Why was Umno (or) BN loved, voted in repeatedly and achieved two-thirds majority previously? It was not because of propaganda or they controlled the media but the leaders were capable and they had humility.
“But I don’t know how they eventually became arrogant. Maybe they think the people are stupid, even until buying bags worth RM600,000 (or) stealing billions that no one will know…
“We in the media, if we know of such arrogant politicians, we should put them in their place.”
Meanwhile, to another question, Kadir said the PH government should be brave enough to explain clearly and openly on promises or pledges which it was unable to fulfil.
On the pledge to give the people more freedom to speak, Kadir said the people had a vital role in making sure that this would come to pass.
He cited the Cabinet’s decision to allow police to probe the recent violence at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, in USJ 25, last week, under certain laws which the ruling coalition is currently reviewing.
These include the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment) 2017 (Poca), Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota), Sedition Act 1948 and Security Offences Special Measures Act (Sosma).
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had said that although there was a moratorium on the acts but in the current situation, and considering what happened at the temple, they can be used by the police even though they are being thoroughly re-evaluated.
“The warning by Tan Sri Muhyiddin was in connection with what happened at the temple.
“He meant that this was a repercussion of the reaction from the people towards the freedom given by the new government. If the reaction is wrong then the government will re-think its decision to amend the acts or not as promised previously,” Kadir said.
As such, the people should play their roles in convincing the government or parliamentarians that the acts should be amended or abolished and that they could live with more freedom responsibly.