It started with polite swipes from the sidelines but has now degenerated into a public mudslinging match between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The panacea, according to former minister Rais Yatim, is "budi bahasa" or civility.

Responding to a question, he said if this was practised at all levels of leadership, the Najib-Mahathir spat would not have escalated.

"Civility must be included in leadership as well. Perhaps both Mahathir and the prime minister would be uneasy with what I am saying.

"But every leader, no matter how high in position, must be courteous in his or her approach," he added.

Rais, who is social and cultural affairs adviser to the government, was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Malay Studies Academy festival at Universiti Malaya today.

Civility paves the way for negotiations

Pointing out how civility was the basis of civilisation, Rais said with civility, negotiations can take place.

"When we cannot negotiate, we will lose out. And it is the rakyat who will suffer.

"That's why I sincerely ask that the principles of civility continue to exist in our way of life," he said.

In his speech earlier, the former minister had proposed a campaign which promoted civility ( kempen budi ).

"We should all ensure that civility is revived," he said.

Rais also lamented about how he spotted the words "University is dead" when he arrived at UM this morning.

"This no longer reflects civility. As I was entering UM this morning, I saw the words on one of the pillars," he added.

Rais also believes that the people should not rely on the government alone to guide them to be civilised.

"Because the government is always busy. So it's up to us to revive civility," he said.

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