LETTER | This old Chinese saying (old habits die hard) reflects the latest actions by some politicians. They seem to behave like when they were opposition party members, even though they are now part of a ruling coalition.

They are insensitive, arrogant and lack empathy, just like when they were opposition members. The learned always believe that the less we open our mouth, the better we are as others will not be able to know how much we know and not know.

Saying something immediately exposes our thoughts and character, and some politicians have this “oral diarrhoea disorder.”

Our credibility demands that whatever we pledge to do must be actionable and achievable. The disastrous defeat of DAP in the Sabah state election witnessed a DAP leader issuing another pledge of resolving the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition issue within six months.

Is this achievable? Given the fact that UEC recognition issue had been outstanding and pursued decades ago and was also pledge prior to the last general elections, no perceivable outcome has been achieved.

There are two possible answers to this. Either it has been pursued without much progress or it was a mere election pledge in order to win votes.

However, DAP’s immediate response of pledging to resolve it within six months is a definite damage control effort. Against the delicate fabric of the current Malaysian political climate, a public response such as this draws immediate uproar from those who are deadly against UEC recognition or anything ethnically Chinese.

Being a partner of the current government, such action exposes the naiveness and arrogance of a political leader. There must be ways to circumvent the UEC recognition and there are people out there who might be able to offer ideas. Being a political leader does not mean you know everything and anything.

Rejoicing over court verdict

Another member of the same party rejoiced over the verdict on house arrest for our former prime minister. While we have expectations over the 1MDB case, calling the public openly to rejoice over the judge’s verdict is simply being insensitive to the fragile social fabric and volatile ethnic relationship.

A true leader needs to exhibit traits of empathy, sympathy and inclusiveness. We can rejoice and be proud of the judiciary verdict but at the same time, keep our big mouth shut. Another arrogant member openly supported her - a true show of arrogance and verbal diarrhoea.

This exhibition of arrogance is not confined to one member alone. Another recently told off a journalist arrogantly during a press conference, only to find himself seeking forgiveness, much like a defeated dog with its tail between its legs.

His arrogance is also glaringly visible in most of his press conferences - his words, mannerisms and gestures. He is also well known for using unsavoury words during election campaigns.

Bad hats and gangsters speak and act in the same nauseating manner. How he puts forth his proposal on anti-littering substantiate how arrogant he speaks.

Look at your own backyard

Come to Damansara Jaya and see for yourself. The Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) website says that garden refuse collection is carried thrice a week.

However, it has been about 10 days since they collected these and right now, there are more than 20 heaps of garden refuse left by the roadside. Is this considered littering by MBPJ? Look after your backyard before you open your mouth and tell people off.

As closing, I would suggest that the next prime minister appoints ministers whose character truly reflects “Madani” – cultured, has empathy, having traits like inclusiveness and are genuine in nation building.

Ministers do not need to hold press conferences on what is being planned or carried out. Whatever is being done can be seen and felt.

If need be, there should be only one spokesperson for the entire government.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.