Sunday, June 15, 2008

I wonder who the Minister is...

My ex-colleague at the Malay Mail, Terence Fernandez, took potshots at one Minister in the Sun's Friday issue.

Practise what you preach.
Terence Fernandez

WORKING on theSun’s Euro 2008 special afternoon edition is not easy, although everyone thinks we have a cushy job watching football and being able to wear shorts to work. It is no walk in the park to work throughout the night, especially when you have to endure dreary matches like France vs Romania. One would rather watch paint dry.
This is why I have to thank a certain minister for keeping me from falling asleep on the job and inspiring me to pen this column.

Trying hard to keep awake, I was browsing through the newspapers (some may argue this will have a reverse effect) when my senses were rejuvenated by a report of the minister exhorting Malaysians to save by spending their holidays locally. I have no doubt that with the current cost of living, a local holiday – which in many cases means balik kampung – is about all many Malaysians can afford. And there is no shame in vacationing in Langkawi, the East Coast or one of our many hill resorts. They have beautiful beaches, pristine sceneries and will not cost you an arm and a leg.

My young cousin in up-market Bangsar who had visited my parents in Kelantan during the school holidays was relating his experience to several hoity-toity classmates who were bragging about their vacations in Europe and Australia. They were mesmerised by his tale of taking a boat ride, seeing a cow for the first time, thinking it was a horse and trying his hand at pottery – and conceded that he had a better holiday than them!

Which is why, while I am all excited with my impending all-expenses-paid trip to Vienna to watch the Euro semis, at the back of my mind is the credit cards I am going to max out on incidentals such as catching a Mozart symphony performance or visiting Salzburg.

Back to the minister. While the advice is sound and prudent, it is nothing short of laughable since the message comes from someone who almost emptied the coffers of another ministry and its subsidiaries which the minister headed previously.

And the minister’s first order of business in the new ministry? Spending more than RM300,000 to renovate a new office in Putrajaya, before moving from the previous building which was home to five of the minister’s predecessors.

I am convinced that the honourable minister’s advice does not come from the heart. If anyone was serious about the rising cost of living and being prudent with money – theirs and others – it would show through actions not words.

Which is why instead of inspiring the people, such advice only tends to infuriate them further. It’s like asking us to eat ubi kayu, while you dine on champagne and caviar. Telling us to commute, while you move around in a limo with two outriders.

It’s all about leadership by example. The minister, unfortunately is not alone. The minister merely symbolises others in positions of power who "cakap tak serupa bikin".

Having said that, following the minister’s advice, one hopes that we will see an end to all lawatan sambil belajar. But then, just slap a tag of "drawing investments" and it will be business as usual again.

To quote pop star Phil Collins: "Just do as I say, don’t do as I do."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dipetik dari akhbar The Star.

Sunday June 15, 2008

‘Laser mouths’ leave minister speechless

By SIRA HABIBU

ALOR STAR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob was left speechless at a dinner meeting after several leaders started questioning him on his call for Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir to step down as Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman.

The youths, most of them Umno and Belia 4B members, were at a meeting held in Sungai Petani on Friday night.

Ismail had said that it was only proper that Mohkzani relinquished his post, as he was no longer an Umno member.

Jalan Badlishah Umno Youth branch chief Ridzuan Omar questioned Ismail’s authority for making such a call.

“Who are you (Ismail) to ask Datuk Mokhzani to step down? We, the 4B Youth members, had benefited tremendously from the motoring activities mooted by Datuk Mokhzani.

“What have you (Ismail) done for the youth? We have hardly heard your name until two months ago,” he said.

Umno Kulim Hi-Tech branch Youth chief Faizal Mansor questioned why national Umno leaders were quick to jump every time former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his son Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz made hard-hitting statements.

“Why don’t you all listen to their constructive criticism?” he said.

Ismail left the dinner without responding to the questions.

Anonymous said...

Bro instead of asking Terence to practice what he preaches, why not you find whats happening in Malaysian Super League, and how come you good friend who employed you as the media officer for Inter Continental Cup is sacked.Since you claim to be a loose cannon of malaysian sports, you should be fair in exposing officials getting sacked just as other bloggers do eg Rocky - Sime Darby Issues.
If you "cakap tak serupa bikin". Then you should not attack Terence, simply because he is surely a better person and 100 percent a journalist. Terence has no time to do Sultan Selangor's souveniar programme, lawn bowls newsletters and etc. Unlike some journalist who worked for Malay Mail.

THE SUN READER

CHEERS

rizal hashim said...

Dear Sun Reader,

Practice what you preach was the heading accompanying Terence's column Down2earth.

Not only don't you have the balls to identify yourself but you don't seem to be able to get your facts right!

Anonymous said...

Bro

Whats the real problem in MSL, kenapa tiba tiba isu MSL ini menjadi hangat bukan sahaja di blog malah di stadium bolasepak juga, apa yang sedang berlaku. Mungkin saudara boleh menerangkan the real issue... Mungkin ada penyelewengan ke ?

Salam

Anonymous said...

Kalau orang tu dah GATAL, MIANG...apa lagi.

Anonymous said...

Hello Bro

Apa Khabar... mengapa anda tidak menulis mengenai isu MSL yang sedang hangat dipersoalkan ini. Apakah anda terasa terhutang budi terhadap pegwai MSL yang di pecat ?
Anda perlu adil dalam pandangan anda dan tidak berat sebelah bro.

Salam

Anonymous said...

My friend,

I am still waiting for the great citizen nades and his sidekick terrence to strap on some balls and take on the PM and DPM on their atrocities, you don't need balls to take on the likes of azalina, any monkey can do that. But go for the top man, starting with the RM300m Monsoon Cup.

Anonymous said...

Yes agreed anyone can take on Azalina , even Tian Chua and some junior writers in Berita Harian also takes her on, but a journalist like you or Blogger or media officer should touch on the Moonson Cup, thats if you have some balls. Otherwise pls stop barking. Why are you afraid to take on Khairy Jamaluddin, Patrick Badawi and the rest who are involved in the Moonsoon Cup.
If you need some balls and braveness talk to Raja Petra he might be able help you.
Maybe we can meet for some curry laksa at Subang Ria restaurant in Kelana Jaya to discuss.
All the best

Harian Sinar... Correspondent