Should celebrities comment on politics?

As Season two of Netflix-original series "The Crown" approaches, we in Malaysia find ourselves reflecting on the meaning of a constitutional monarchy alongside the question of whether celebrities should be allowed or encouraged to have a say in Malaysian politics.

Let’s start with the celebrities who have been speaking out on politics lately, including, but not least, Nur Fathia Latiff, Sheila Majid and Adibah Noor.

Another individual not in this category, but who theoretically fits is Azwan Ali - though he is arguably a former celebrity.

I think the right position on what celebrities should or shouldn’t say is clear: they should be able to say whatever they want, subject to the same consequences as the rest of us.

I don’t believe that their career in the public eye places them in any sort of position that overrides their basic human rights to express their opinion on politics, or any other subject for that matter.

However, from a purely business perspective, most celebrities are aware that making political comments can cost them fans, though sometimes it can also win them new ones.

In this regard, I say we should applaud celebrities who feel it important to stand up for their beliefs, regardless of how it may affect their careers.

Eating chilli

One amusing aspect of this recent brouhaha in the news is that if we look at the actual words tweeted by the celebrities, one would realise that they really are relatively mild and stop short of naming names.

Sheila has had a lot of choice words about the economy in her tweet, but she does not mention any names when exhorting unidentified people to “stop making excuses & looking for faults.”

Similarly, Nur Fathia did not mention any names or specifics either, only ‘old stories’ and sums of money deposited into accounts.

Umno could have conceivably ignored these tweets. In fact, they could have spun it such that the two were even criticising the opposition.

No one would have believed them, but perhaps, it would have pressured the celebrities to take on a clearer stance.

What they chose to do instead, was to essentially admit that they were indeed the target of said criticisms, and responded in a childish and vindictive manner. It brings to mind the Malay phrase “Siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas”. (Whoever eats the chili, feels the heat)

Consistency

Azwan’s tirade however, was lauded rather than criticised by Umno. It was more strongly worded, specific in its targets, and let’s face it - a lot more entertaining.

Said target was, of course, his brother current Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, and Azwan did not mince his words at all.

Now, I have no love for Azmin politically, but if I were him, I can’t say that I would be terribly worried about Azwan at all.

Regardless, I think we can easily argue that we should have consistent standards here.

If it is alright for Azwan to be making political comments, then it should be acceptable for Nur Fathia and Sheila as well.

Perhaps we can point out that while Sheila appears to have taken a pro-opposition stance now, in the past, she has also tweeted her irritation and criticism towards Bersih rally goers. And I remember vividly how sad it made me.

But ultimately, it is her right to both express and change her opinions.

The right to express their views

Whether or not we like what they say, I feel it is our duty to defend that the right of these individuals to express their views like any other citizen in this country.

Celebrities elsewhere in the world - most notably in the United States - make political comments all the time.

Sometimes the people love them for it, sometimes they hate them for it - few would argue, however, that they do not have the right to speak up and take a stance.

At the end of the day, these celebrities are not judges or civil servants whose position of power requires a degree of neutrality and abstinence from political activism on their part.

Enabling politicians, disabling accountability

The prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor’s aide Rizal Mansor says that Sheila should not comment because the economy is outside her area of expertise.

If that is the case, perhaps we should remove most of our current ministers, who often have no background in their respective portfolios (a fact which often shows in no shortage of cringeworthy comments), and replace them with technocrats.

I think that would certainly have a more positive effect than trying to shut some celebrities up.

When it comes to matters that affect all of us, degrees are not required to make comments.

What is required is the sincerity of the heart and a good dose of civic-mindedness.

The idea that commenting on politics should be left to politicians is but a ploy that enables the excesses of politicians and disables accountability.

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NATHANIEL TAN really loves Sheila Majid’s rendition of Tunggu Sekejap- Mkini