The ill-meaning words used by the menteri besar of Pahang against a particular newspaper at a state assembly sitting are very disgusting. No matter how hurt he feels about news reports of excess logging in the state, he shouldn't have lashed out in the august house to vent his frustrations.

To think that his own party owns the particular media that he dislikes might have touched a raw nerve. One would expect a person of his stature not act like a ruffian and remain cool under any pressure and argue his case intelligently with decorum. This is not the first time that he has made a crude remark as one can recall a similar incident earlier in a by-election where he made an obscene gesture.

Leaders should have good ears that can accept constructive criticism with an open heart and use their words wisely to reflect their good Muslim and Malay values. They shouldn't be so arrogant but instead listen carefully what the public or media have to say.

One can see that the flora and fauna of Pahang are disappearing due to excessive logging and deforestation. Deforestation can cause natural disasters in the long run which badly affect the quality of life among the common people staying in those areas.

Surely Pahang can invest in other industries rather than exploit their natural resources which only benefit the rich timber tycoons and their cronies. Meanwhile, the ordinary folk bear the brunt of flash floods, heat waves, mud slides and other disasters due to indiscriminate logging.

To be a modern and civilised society, top leaders in the political, public and private sectors must behave well - whether in public or private - in order for the others to emulate them. As the Malay saying goes 'Bapak borek, anak rintik'.