PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition should focus on the reformation it has promised by getting to work immediately instead of posturing about it, says veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.
In a blog post titled, "More Work, Less Talk", Datuk Kadir said there was no need for Pakatan to sensationalise matters or scream at the top of its lungs anymore since it is now the government.
Mr Kadir is the head of media and communication of the Council of Elders advising the Malaysian government.
"Lim's mistake was when he obtained facts that proved Pakatan's claims were right, he did not thoroughly evaluate the implications of revealing them," he said, referring to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Mr Lim had said that the country's debt was at a whopping RM1 trillion (S$336.97 billion), higher than the figure announced by the Barisan Nasional government.
Describing Pakatan's current responsibility as a "baptism of fire", Mr Kadir said Mr Lim had "played up" the national debt issue.
He said even if the new government had made big discoveries that could prove that the previous administration lied or covered up the truth, new ministers have to exercise caution when speaking out.
"Political mileage is not the same as economic mileage. What is good for politics might not be good for the economy or the financial markets."
"For Lim especially - someone I have known for a long time and who has always been civil to me despite our differences in political ideology - be careful when making statements and announcements," he said.
Mr Kadir noted that it is more important for Pakatan to learn from its own mistakes and that of the past administration.
He added that it while it is necessary to bring culprits of any alleged kleptocracy to justice, it has to be done according to the rule of law, as promised.
"Work more for the rakyat, instead of talking and making headlines," he said.
"The rakyat have given Pakatan a mandate to do the best. Pakatan should mind the pitfalls that had trapped Umno and Barisan, such as the culture of praising, ingratiating and self-praising," he said.
