Rais wants politicians like New York congresswoman, not apple-polishers in Malaysia

Bersatu strategist Rais Husin is yearning for politicians like New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Malaysia.

“This is the type of politician Malaysia needs,” he tweeted in response to a video clip on social media depicting her grilling Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

“Bold, intelligent and factual. Protecting people's interest rather than apple polishing leaders,” he continued without mentioning names.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Rais said the nation needed politicians who are selfless and what he described as “more people-full.”

“Focus on people's interests and concerns rather than same old same old politics of apple-polishing leaders.

“Attend parliamentary sessions and debate intelligently. Less politics, more on promise delivery. Find ways to deliver, not find excuses. Kurangkan dalih, banyakkan daya (work harder, talk less),” he added.

Dr. Rais Hussin@raishussin

This is the type of politician Malaysia needs ... bold, intelligent and factual. Protecting people’s interest rather than apple polishing leaders ! https://twitter.com/carolecadwalla/status/1187095903368351745 …

Carole Cadwalladr

✔@carolecadwalla

Be still my beating heart..@aoc asks Zuckerberg the question. I & others (notably @jason_kint) have been asking for a loooong time. When exactly did he first learn about Cambridge Analytica? Tell me, does this sound like a convincing answer to you?

19

12:46 PM - Oct 24, 2019

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Ocasio-Cortez had questioned Zuckerberg on his knowledge of Cambridge Analytica during the House Financial Services Committee hearing on Facebook's cryptocurrency project Libra.

Facebook became embroiled in the Cambridge Analytica scandal after it was revealed that the now-defunct British political consulting firm acquired the personal data of up to 87 million Facebook users.

In the 1.40 minute clip, Ocasio-Cortez (below) said it is important to make a decision regarding the future based upon a person's past behaviour.

“In order for us to make decisions about Libra, we need to kind of dig into your past past behaviour and Facebook's past behaviour with respect to our democracy,” she added.

Following this, the 30-year-old congresswoman bombarded Zuckerberg, 35, with questions regarding Cambridge Analytica, including when he first became aware of the matter.

She also asked when was the Cambridge Analytica issue discussed with Facebook board member Peter Thiel, to which Zuckerberg replied that he did not know.

“You don't know. This was the largest data scandal with respect to your company that had catastrophic impacts on the 2016 election... You don't know,” the congresswoman shot back.

Following this, Zuckerberg, who looked visibly uncomfortable from the start, stammered: “Congresswoman, I am sure we discussed after it...eh... after we were aware of what happened.” - Mkini