Doing it right to temper a wrong

Everybody makes mistakes, but few have it in them to own up.

It is therefore heartening to note that a minister was quick to admit to his misstep.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan, who was caught puffing away inside an eatery recently, tendered an apology for his disregard not just for the law but for the comfort of fellow patrons as well.

A picture of him with a cigarette between his fingers had made the rounds on social media recently.

In an immediate response, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Umno deputy president and Rembau MP would be penalised, stressing that no one is above the law.

Mohamad had asked for a compound to be issued to him and he would pay the fine.

There was no fuss. He admitted that he had erred and even asked to be penalised.

But it must also be pointed out that while he has been quick to do the right thing, it does not erase the fact that he had indeed committed an offence.

Political leaders are held up to a higher standard than the rest of us. This is inevitable.

They are put in office to serve the people and given their position, their behaviour, especially in public, should be exemplary.

Perhaps Mohamad’s colleagues in the government can learn from this episode. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.