Mustapa Mohamed said gone were the days when leaders could bury unfavourable news stories by making a phone call to an editor.

Social media, he said, has completely changed the game and political leaders as well as industry captains have had to adapt to this new environment.

“Hopefully this change is for the better.

“All of us, as responsible citizens in a democracy, must use this new medium of communications to keep our elected leaders accountable,” he said in a speech read by United Nations Association Malaysia vice-president TC Tan.

Tan read the speech at the launch of global communications consultancy firm WE Communications’ expansion into Malaysia via Chase Advisors.

Mustapa, better known as Tok Pa, said Chase Advisors is being set up by WE Communications as a public affairs and public policy consulting firm in Malaysia.

The former economic affairs minister said it is vital for Malaysia, in this day and age, to have business friendly policies formulated to move the country forward.

“It is my hope that Chase Advisors and the WE team find business success in Malaysia.

“On the policy front, I hope that you can assist the private sector in finding common ground with the growing demands and needs of the Malaysian public.”

Separately, WE international CEO Kass Sells said Malaysia is a crucial market to expand businesses regionally and globally.

“With Southeast Asia’s expanding middle class, dynamic digital ecosystem and strong economic ties between the US and Malaysia, it’s the perfect time for WE to deepen our presence here and leverage opportunities for growth across the region.”