Bersatu pans Fahmi over 'failure' as govt spokesperson

 

Bersatu information chief Razali Idris has lambasted Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil for failing to play his role as the spokesperson for the coalition government.

Razali (above) questioned Fahmi’s role after a Singapore-based media company reported that the Pardons Board had reduced former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s prison term for corruption from 12 to six years.

“This follows a Channel News Asia report quoting a senior government official as a source on the Pardons Board meeting last Monday.

“This is what happens when the communications minister likes to speak as the spokesperson for the Madani coalition government, leading to manipulation by external parties.

“Even the sources of information are not coordinated because one or two ministers are also chiming in to talk about Najib’s pardon,” Razali said in a statement today.

Lack of strategic communications

Malaysiakini yesterday reported that Fahmi had asked the public to not draw their conclusions from CNA’s article.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil

The Lembah Pantai MP even denied that he was the source of the CNA report.

“Let’s follow the due process. If we don’t, there will be a lot of reactions. We need to show our professionalism,” he said.

Razali stated that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government’s continuous lack of strategic communication management and the inability of the communications minister are not acceptable.

He said this had a perverse effect on Malaysia’s image, identity, and reputation as a dignified country.

“His attitude towards the country’s mainstream media and news portals and his lack of good relations with foreign media have worsened the situation.

“The public is confused about the role of the coalition government’s spokesperson, which should have been carried out by the prime minister’s press secretary,” Razali added. - Mkini