Mustapa proves he’s a true gentleman

And Tian Chua proves that insensitivity is not a BN monopoly.

COMMENT

Insensitive and unapologetic – these are traits we commonly associate with BN politicians because it is them who often spout careless remarks in Parliament and at press conferences and then, in the face of criticism, go on the defensive.

However, there are exceptions, as the ever-amiable Mustapa Mohamed has proven.

The International Trade and Industry Minister came under fire after making a remark on Tuesday that was considered sexist. According to news reports, he described the new building for his ministry as an “inexperienced virgin” and the old building as an old wife who is no longer exciting and deserves to be discarded.

He amused some people, but disgusted others. A Bar Council official issued a statement lambasting him.

If Mustapa were a typical BN man, he would have gone into denial mode, saying something like “I did not mean it that way,” but he did not.

The minister, whom many have described as a “true gentleman,” issued an apology and expressed regret for his indiscretion.

“I humbly apologise for offending anyone, including women, with my inappropriate analogy at the event,” he said in a press statement.

“As head of staff, a husband and a father, I always respect women’s contributions to the country and to myself and I hold them in high regard. I regret what happened and this will be a lesson for me. I hope the matter will not be prolonged.”

Kudos to Mustapa for admitting his fault and having the courage to apologise. We only wish that all of his colleagues in Umno and BN had his gentlemanly qualities.

However, if we were to search for someone who this week exhibited an attitude that contrasted with Mustapa’s, we would have to look towards the opposition.

PKR Vice-President Tian Chua, despite being embroiled in the Nurul Izzah–Jacel Kiram controversy, has refused to acknowledge that the issue is indeed serious.

It was revealed that Tian Chua had figured in arranging a meeting between the two. And he has made it worse by saying that members of the Kiram clan were not terrorists. This is despite a statement by the late Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, that he ordered the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013, which saw 10 Malaysians killed.

According to a news report, Tian Chua asked the government to clarify which group was planning an attack on Sabah, saying there were various militant organisations such as the Abu Sayyaf that operate out of the Southern Philippines.

Fair enough, but did the late Sultan not claim the responsibility for sending his men to Lahad Datu to claim Sabah as part of his domain?

Perhaps Tian Chua would not have been so insensitive if he had lost friends or relatives in the intrusion, or if any member of his family had been kidnapped for ransom by Filipino insurgents.

He would have served himself better if he had remained silent on the matter. Instead, he has rubbed salt into the wounds of those hurt by the intrusion.