KUCHING: The 'open policy' upheld and adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the present administration has made him vulnerable to verbal attacks and baseless criticism, said his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said Najib remained unfazed with all the negative remarks since his priority was to improve the lot of the rakyat by listening and learning about the woes and difficulties faced by the people.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said there were quarters including former cabinet members who had taken advantage of Najib's openness policy by making allegations agains the prime minister via social media.
"They are being unfair to the prime minister and the Federal government by only highlighting negativity over the positive achievements," said Zahid in his speech at the Sarawak Zone Home Ministry's Excellence Awards ceremony here today.
He did not mince his words when he described former cabinet members and ex-ministers who had criticised the government as "gila talak" (power-hungry).
He added the Home Ministry was also not spared from the follies of unscrupulous quarters who are bent on painting a negative picture of the government. This, he said, was the case when the government had announced the temporary suspension on the intake of foreign workers from all countries including from Bangladesh yesterday.
"The decision was made after the government took into consideration the views of affected stakeholders including the people, non-governmental organisations and employer associations. We made changes to the earlier decision because the government is open to suggestion and that we wanted the best for the people.
"But there were some quarters who were quick to judge and accused the government of being flip-flop. This is unfair.
"If the government can practice openness to criticism, the critics should also do the same and accept that their opinion is not always right."