KUALA LUMPUR: Critical feedback from various quarters on Mohamad Sabu’s performance as Defence Minister over the last year has helped him improve how he carries out his duties.
Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, said he greatly welcomes criticism, as it has allowed him to learn from his weaknesses and mistakes.
“As you are aware, I am new on the job (as Defence Minister). Therefore, I am bound to make a slip up here and there.
“But I am learning fast and moving ahead with my duties and tasks,” he said after an iftar (breaking of fast) session with the media at Hotel Istana at Jalan Raja Chulan here, yesterday.
Mohamad recounted how he was criticised by the media and netizens when he first reported for duty at the Defence Ministry at Jalan Padang Tembak.
“I vividly recall the reports headlined ‘Mohamad Sabu nervous’ and ‘Mohamad Sabu apologises for failing to salute’.
“Such criticisms help us improve on our shortcomings, day by day,” he said.
In fact, Mohamad admitted that the media had greatly assisted him in his career advancement in his 40 years in politics.
He said he had the opportunity to interact with journalists and bloggers who never gave up on providing him advice and guidance on improving himself.
“Under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, the media is not tightly controlled as before.
“We have not heard of journalists sleeping in lock-ups, their Internet portals blocked and their publishing licences suspended.
“However, in the government’s openness today, there are irresponsible elements which continue to disseminate fake news,” he said.
Mohamad cited one example in which he was portrayed as refusing to use the official ‘roti John’ vehicle on his first day as Defence Minister.
Mohamad said that although he had explained the matter numerous times, the public still believes the ‘roti John’ fake news.
He also dismissed the oft-repeated claim that the PH government has failed to address the welfare of Malays – and issue which negatively affected PH in several recent by-elections including in Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau.
“In reality, media practitioners are fully aware that since taking over the Malaysian government, PH has strongly strived to save (troubled) institutions that benefit Malays, like Tabung Haji and Felda.
“Such institutions are being salvaged by PH even though Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is of Chinese ancestry.
“Racial issues do not arise with the PH government today. PH will continue to safeguard all citizens, irrespective of race or religion,” Mohamad said.
He assured Malaysians that PH will honour the mandate given to it by the people in the 14th general election.
“I promise that as long as I am the Defence Minister, I will ensure that peace and sovereignty prevails, and that the welfare of servicemen and veterans is defended,” Mohamad said.
On another note, Mohamad advised parents to monitor the activities of their children who could be easily influenced by Islamic State (IS) ideology, which is threatening global peace and security.
Many Malaysians had reportedly gone to fight for the IS cause in Syria and the Middle-East and become involved in terrorism activities elsewhere.