Ah-ha! I like this!
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed mandatory media training for his ministers to prevent more missteps that have made his administration a laughing stock among Malaysians, sources said.
A good move, Mr PM but who should 'guide' them? Utusan? Or Media Prima?
The prime minister's second term has been marked by some 'foolish' remarks from several ministers that spawned Internet memes and jokes detrimental to Putrajaya’s image.
Sending Cabinet members for media training is, of course a good idea but Mr PM too must apply the four walls to BN component party leaders who have been whacking each other in the open forum, much to public impression that he was losing control of the ruling party.
We have seen how Umno, MCA, Gerakan and MIC chided and criticised each other over some government policies, which was not good for PM's image.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed mandatory media training for his ministers to prevent more missteps that have made his administration a laughing stock among Malaysians, sources said.
A good move, Mr PM but who should 'guide' them? Utusan? Or Media Prima?
The prime minister's second term has been marked by some 'foolish' remarks from several ministers that spawned Internet memes and jokes detrimental to Putrajaya’s image.
“The prime minister wants ministers to undergo media training to avoid repeatedly delivering foolish remarks,” said a source on the condition of anonymity.I thought Najib already has a few 'media advisers', including one from Media Prima. What happened to them? Are they still with him?
“We do not want Putrajaya’s image spoilt because of statements given by ministers like Ku Nan and Hasan Malek,” the source added.
The source was referring to Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek’s reminder that people should be thankful for having “sincere” leaders who “prioritise people’s needs” above all else, as quoted by Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia.
This came on the heels of Putrajaya’s move to cut subsidies to reduce its fiscal deficit and back-to-back hike in prices that left the rakyat feeling the pinch of the rise in cost of living.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had also come under fire for telling off property owners in Kuala Lumpur who complained about a hike in assessment rates.
"You want me to revaluate your property at 0.1% for 21 years? It does not matter to me... up to you.” He had admonished the media over the issue, telling them: "I don't know why people like to spin this issue out of control. You should tell the rakyat that this is good for them," he had said.
Putrajaya’s economic czar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar is also remembered for his advice to the people a few months ago to stop eating chicken if the prices were too high and to use alternative roads if they did not want to pay toll on highways, when he spoke of impending hike in toll rates.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib was unhappy that such statements by ministers had only served to portray Putrajaya in an unfavourable light.
Sending Cabinet members for media training is, of course a good idea but Mr PM too must apply the four walls to BN component party leaders who have been whacking each other in the open forum, much to public impression that he was losing control of the ruling party.
We have seen how Umno, MCA, Gerakan and MIC chided and criticised each other over some government policies, which was not good for PM's image.