Excerpt:
'Like the undertaker who sees everyone as a potential client, the journalist views most people as a source of information. Thus, there is this need to associate with people from varying backgrounds. Information from these sources, which has to be verified, can sometimes lead to a big story.
From a legal standpoint, it is not an offence to meet anyone. Having a coffee or a beer with any of them is no less than having a tete-a-tete with a minister or a senior government official. The principle that "I have a right to choose whom I want to associate with" comes into play.
Therefore, there seems to be a witch-hunt of sorts for those who met former Petro-Saudi official Xavier Justo, now in custody in Thailand.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has threatened to arrest opposition leaders who had met Justo unless they come forward to give a statement.
First, what offence has Justo committed in Malaysia, and second, is there any law which prevents Malaysians from meeting a foreigner?
To add to the drama in this gigantic battle of public perception, the journalistic fraternity seems to have been sucked into this quagmire called 1MDB.'
'The government can continue shouting itself hoarse by asking us not to believe what appears in cyber space. But as the prime minister himself admitted, the days of "the government knows best" are over.
No one will pay heed to the spinning and the propaganda and no one will believe what comes from official sources. Nothing will change unless the government comes clean on the various issues and challenges facing the nation.
For a start, the cards should be put on the table, starting with not just 1MDB but other areas of governance where transparency and accountability are severely lacking.The leaks, the over-pricing of contracts and the involvement of cronies have all been well documented and are in the public domain.
The people, having digested them, have formed their own opinions and thoughts. Nothing will change that except the truth.
This is perhaps the first step in getting the public to trust and put their faith in the government and its leaders. If this cannot be done, let us forget about developed nation status and a better quality of life for all Malaysians.'
More:
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1494097
Link
'Like the undertaker who sees everyone as a potential client, the journalist views most people as a source of information. Thus, there is this need to associate with people from varying backgrounds. Information from these sources, which has to be verified, can sometimes lead to a big story.
From a legal standpoint, it is not an offence to meet anyone. Having a coffee or a beer with any of them is no less than having a tete-a-tete with a minister or a senior government official. The principle that "I have a right to choose whom I want to associate with" comes into play.
Therefore, there seems to be a witch-hunt of sorts for those who met former Petro-Saudi official Xavier Justo, now in custody in Thailand.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has threatened to arrest opposition leaders who had met Justo unless they come forward to give a statement.
First, what offence has Justo committed in Malaysia, and second, is there any law which prevents Malaysians from meeting a foreigner?
To add to the drama in this gigantic battle of public perception, the journalistic fraternity seems to have been sucked into this quagmire called 1MDB.'
'The government can continue shouting itself hoarse by asking us not to believe what appears in cyber space. But as the prime minister himself admitted, the days of "the government knows best" are over.
No one will pay heed to the spinning and the propaganda and no one will believe what comes from official sources. Nothing will change unless the government comes clean on the various issues and challenges facing the nation.
For a start, the cards should be put on the table, starting with not just 1MDB but other areas of governance where transparency and accountability are severely lacking.The leaks, the over-pricing of contracts and the involvement of cronies have all been well documented and are in the public domain.
The people, having digested them, have formed their own opinions and thoughts. Nothing will change that except the truth.
This is perhaps the first step in getting the public to trust and put their faith in the government and its leaders. If this cannot be done, let us forget about developed nation status and a better quality of life for all Malaysians.'
More:
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1494097
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