Zahid presents a certificate to a recipient. He is flanked by Masing (left) and Alwi. Masir is seen at left.
KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has slammed critics who have accused the government of flip-flopping on policies.
He pointed out that in the past leaders and important figures who served in the government also listened to the grouses and demands of the people and subsequently made changes.
“However, now that they are not in the government any more, they turn to accuse the government of not having solid principles or ‘flip-flopping’,” he said during the Home Ministry’s service excellence awards for Sarawak Zone yesterday.
“When they were in positions, they did not act. Now that they have lost their positions but want to be in position, they instead shoot back at the government for not acting rightly. They must have forgotten they were in those positions due to the support from people at the grassroots level.”
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said certain people think they are the best and most intelligent, but their era has passed and they should show respect to the present government and leadership.
“There will always be weaknesses because leaders are also human. As such, critics should have an open mind that they themselves too could be wrong,” he pointed out.
Zahid said the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is committed to an open, inclusive and people-centred government.
“The government is concerned and cares for the people. We want to hear the voices and grouses of the people and at the same time hope to open the minds and hearts of the people. The mission is more than just fulfilling the needs of the people but striving for a prosperous people,” he said.
“We hear from people of all levels including corporations, associations and non-governmental organisations with the people always our priority. Decisions are made based on this feedback but also changes to policies.”
Zahid also reminded those active on social media that they are not professional journalists.
“A professional journalist in the mainstream media reports based on facts and objectivity without straying into opinion or off-topic. This is the sort of ethics observed by true and responsible journalists,” he pointed out.
He added that blogs and social media could be biased because the writing is shaped by emotions and planned agendas to create an extremely negative image of a subject.
“Such doing is called character assassination,” he said.
“There are among them using the social media who think they are always right and the government is always wrong. Critics of the government should also have an open mind to accept and admit the fact that their views may also be wrong,” he said.
The event celebrated the achievements of 270 officers from agencies and departments under the Home Ministry including the Prisons Department, Police, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drugs Agency and National Registration Department.
Among those present were Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat and Ministry of Home secretary-general (security) Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim.