Terengganu's MB, Dato' Ahmad Said.(NST's headline)
Politicians lash out at media
KUALA TERENGGANU: Some politicians here have hit back at the news coverage of the Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor issue.
They accused reporters of asking "dumb" questions.
"Questions must be of national or international interest. Let there be some class," a state politician said when a reporter asked Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said to comment on a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that Terengganu should leave out issues not related to the car purchases.
Ahmad had asked the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate the maintenance cost of Terengganu's fleet of Perdanas.
He then asked the agency to probe certain projects in the state, although he agreed with Najib's advice.
Terengganu's decision to buy 14 Mercedes Benzes for RM3.43 million to replace its Proton Perdanas became an issue as state governments are only allowed Proton cars for official use.
Another politician joined the fray. "What is the role of the media? Do you think that RM3 million is a big deal in the state? What do you think?"
Reporters later got hold of Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who defended the media.
"The reports may have sparked a controversy but it must not be seen in a negative light. Sometimes, a politician wants to do what is best but it ends up as an issue." (NST Online, 28 July 2008)
Comment:
Now, the journalits have been accused of asking dumb questions on the Mercy-Proton issue in Terengganu. But don't the journalists have the right to ask such "dumb" questions especially when such questions are relevant to the interest of the Rakyat. Another "dumb" question, if we can call the question dumb: Is it not proper for any MB or his excos to take any action before looking into the do's and don'ts when they are officially appointed to the posts. Another "dumb" question: Have they received any legal advice with regard to the nation's general order, involving state adminitrators? More dumb question: Have they got permission to act on something beyond their power. Every politician knows that no one must not deviate from their oath to erve the people's interest, and not making political or economic "mischiefs".
The dumb question now is: Is the maintenance excuse merit the purchase of such vehicles, or someone is just doing what we call "act first, ask later."
Anyway, what the hack. After all you won't mind spending a little extra since you are now recognized as a new member of the rich state club of the nation. After all, what is three millions compared to billions you will be receiving.
So, coming back to the dumb question raised by thee politicians to the media, who is dumber: Journalists or politicians when we very well know that the rakyat's interest is at stake here.
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