KUCHING, Nov 4: Ministers are not ‘superior beings’ or ‘upper class’, and those with egoistic attitudes will not have a place in the rakyat’s hearts, says Bintulu MP Dato Seri Tiong King Sing.
In response to the former Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed’s remarks recently criticising his behaviour as ‘indecent’, Tiong said it is hard to fathom that a former minister who once held significant responsibilities for the welfare of the people could possess such a narrow-minded and arrogant perspective.
“He seems to believe that my camaraderie with the public and our shared celebrations are somehow ‘crazy’, suggesting that he views ministers as superior beings,” said Tiong in a Facebook post today.
Tiong said, according to Mohd Zin, events to which ministers are invited should be approached with great formality and stiff protocol, leaving little room for enjoyment and merriment.
He also said if that is what sets a minister apart from the people based on Mohd Zin’s perspective, it is clear that Mohd Zin has zero idea of how to engage with the community, especially among non-Muslims.
“He was the UMNO leader in charge of a whole state (Selangor) but lost it likely due to not analysing what the community or public wants.
“Worse, he still doesn’t know how to respect that even though this is a Muslim-majority country, we still have a multi-cultural society which has liberal leaders,” said the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
On Nov 1, Mohd Zin posted a statement on his X account saying that he is appalled by Tiong in the Parliament for defending his drunken stupor at a Gawai celebration which was recorded and went viral.
He pointed out that as MP, Tiong public conduct is meant to be exemplary and guided by decorum.
He said that Tiong should consider the example set by consuming alcohol until he is red-faced and then go on “to have fun with the kids and act a little crazy”.
“Such behavior demonstrates a lack of self restraint, even if under the influence of alcohol. Which begs the question, what example are you trying to set by such indecorous behavior?
“Even in some of the most Western democracies, such disregard for etiquette would have a negative impact on a leader’s credibility,” he said. — DayakDaily
