KUCHING, June 6: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu’s “kindergarten” performance at the recent 18th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit Shangri-La is embarrassing, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Brodie.
“Without being prejudiced of our distinction in politics, I feel that Mat Sabu’s recent presentation at the 18th IISS Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) recently is very ‘kindergarten’. He is a disappointment,” she remarked in a statement today.
Doris, who is a political secretary to the Chief Minister, believed that Mat Sabu should have been more prepared and serious in discussing related issues concerning Malaysia at the international level.
“All eyes were on Malaysia and such poor presentation only shows the type of leaders we have under ‘Malaysia Baru’. It was a sad day for Malaysia.
“Hearing his speech in verbatim was not just an embarrassment but it also aroused feelings of insecurity. His speech was not only shallow but it was also senseless, without flaking on his rather poor command of English,” Doris added.
She opined that if Mat Sabu could not deliver his speech well in English, he could have done it in Bahasa Malaysia, which would then be translated through the Summit’s translation centre.
“To Mat Sabu, there’s no time for jokes. You are our Defence Minister now; hence, put your priorities in order. Be well prepared in all you do, especially in managing the defence system of this country.
“It is not about ‘filling stomach’, where you can just fry an egg and eat it to rid the hunger pang. It is about looking after Malaysia’s defence and the national security of this country.
“The rakyat voted you in and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has put you to helm the Defence Ministry. It is time to deliver and prove your worth. It has been over a year now, your honeymoon period is over. Malaysians are watching,” said Doris.
In recalling and reflecting on Mat Sabu’s recent speech, Doris questioned the need for Malaysia to have a Defence Minister.
“Why waste public funds? After all, the ministry seems quite helpless and toothless in its current form and management. Perhaps, Mat Sabu is the wrong guy for the job.
“Malaysians deserve a competent minister to lead this ministry. Someone who has the right calibre, (and is) affirmative and serious on the job. This matter must be urgently addressed wisely and seriously by the premier of this country.
“National security is not something you can take lightly, and for a leader to expose its defence weaknesses to the world is akin to digging your own grave,” reckoned Doris.
Mat Sabu was criticised by netizens for making Malaysia international laughing stock after his presentation at the IISS Asia Security Summit Shangri-La. One of the points he brought up that wrought criticisms against him during the presentation was when he said, ‘The (vessel of the) China coast guards is bigger than Malaysia(’s) warship. So, how are we going to chase them? So, we cannot fight with them.” — DayakDaily
