Let’s practise mature politics, says Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should practise mature politics instead of clinging to the defamatory approach, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak says.

He said Malaysia was a democratic country that gave the people room to participate in politics.

“Achieving political maturity is a shared responsibility. Appreciate the political stability that we have enjoyed thus far because peace and stability are invaluable,” he wrote on his blog yesterday.

Salleh said the people no longer needed politics of slander and character assassination or the circulation of fake news because these bad practices could poison minds.

“We can have differences of poli­tical opinion and be in different parties but let’s not go to the extent of circulating fake news about the country, for example, spreading inaccurate news on the economic health of the country, corruption and crime rate without using the right data,” he said.

Salleh said the Government had released official data so there should be no need to cite isolated examples to deny the success of the country simply because of a difference in political opinion.

“We acknowledge political differences and opinions, but let’s not go to the extent of neglecting national interests,” he said. He added that the Government was committed to curbing dirty politics that could harm the country. — Bernama