JUST before the 100 days marking Donald Trump’s term as US President passed on April 29, the Associated Press published a story about a popularity poll on his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency with a mission to cut federal bureaucracy, which he has been doing with gusto, in the process causing rifts within the administration and angering federal workers, among other things.
Reports indicate Musk is taking a step back to concentrate on his Tesla car business (which has taken a huge hit as disapproving people are boycotting it).
Was Musk’s decision to become an adviser to an unpredictable leader a good move? That is still being debated.
Similarly, back home in Malaysia, the parties and politicians that formed the elected government also have their fair share of advisers, consultants, and special officers. Let’s just call them all aides.
Over the years as a journalist, I have dealt with quite a few, many of whom stay behind the scenes. Some are also lost in their own little world. The ones that I have come across include those who promote politicians, media wise, whether domestically or abroad.
Why are they appointed? Some are really good and offer expertise in communications, technology, or the economy, for example. They are what the leaders need.
How much are they paid and who pays them? One Cabinet minister that I know had advisers or consultants who were paid by the various agencies under the ministry. Payment can also be made to PR agencies or advisers with funds obtained directly from the Finance Ministry after a ministry makes an application. How much are the payments? Of course that is an industry secret.
But in a bureaucratic government like Malaysia, checks and balances are carried out, and once you are in the system, there are certain regulations you must adhere to. Sometimes experts join the principal (read: the politician) with many fresh ideas and out-of-the-box thinking, only to be hindered by the bureaucracy. Yes, things do move slowly, as these aides usually find out.
Then there are also those who are appointed by the politician as a favour, said a senior government officer.
“Like Musk who contributed to Trumps’ campaign during the election. As you can see there is so much conflict of interest there. He doesn’t understand how the government works but this is, basically, political payback for his support.
“It is the same in Malaysia, we have people like this who are appointed as consultants or advisers as payback. There are also those who lobbied for such posts. That is a problem.
“They are not there to improve the situation, they just serve themselves. And it happens in Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, and most of the other parties. Every government has this group of people,” the official said.
One government official, who also has dealt with aides, said that some of them receive high salaries but questions remain whether the pay matches their talent.
Over the years, every government has had its share of crises. Whether they managed these issues well depends on who you speak to about them.
With the rapid news cycle, enhanced by social media’s practically instantaneous reach, news that breaks in the morning may be stale by afternoon, but if the narrative is not managed well by the people concerned, things can spiral downward.
Lately, the current government has come in for criticism over several issues that went viral quickly, especially over social media, ranging from an overly lavish Raya do to an incorrectly drawn national flag.
Take the Hari Raya event at the Health Ministry (MOH).
Videos and photos of a big celebration with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and popular singers Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk Jamal Abdillah in attendance quickly went viral, and many asked if the singers were paid to perform, if so, how much. Siti denied she was paid while Jamal said he received a token payment, reported Malaysiakini.
Other ministries also held open houses but they escaped unscathed.
A media practitioner who has been covering health issues for a decade said the Health Ministry seems to face bad press almost every week. With the manpower issues, including contracts for doctors, and shortage of medical staff languishing, on top of open criticism by some in the medical fraternity, the lavish Raya celebration seemed insensitive.
“The MOH has been accused of being insensitive. The Raya do leaves a bad taste as it is, as if the management is ignoring the pleas to address problems within the ministry.
“You don’t hear about manpower issues in other ministries as much as in MOH. It is difficult to get through to the current administration.
“There is currently a serious communications breakdown. For some of us who have been covering health issues, we can still get through to our contacts but imagine the new ones who have difficulty gaining access,” she said.
People will remember bad news, and in this case the ministry and government at large seem unable to manage the issue as it went viral and remained hot for several days.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad wrote in his X account that he appreciated the concerns raised: “Criticism received is fair. Let this be a reminder unto all. We’ll continue working to address systemic issues for our health workers – that’s my commitment.”
A former adviser to a top politician said the ministry seems to have underestimated the public’s anger over the matter.
“The issue is not the singers. This government came into power citing austerity, not more lavish spending.
“Members of the public are attacking you because you are not living up to your words,” he said, directing his words at the government.
“This underscores the communications problem that makes it seem like the government is just not getting it.
“If you don’t address this problem, people will pick on every expenditure because you are not being true to what you represent,” he said.
“Sure, you can have lavish celebrations but you need to craft the narrative right from the start, but unfortunately, this was not forthcoming,” he added.
For the record, in April last year, Anwar reminded government agencies not to go overboard in hosting Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, saying they must be conscious and wise when spending public funds, particularly for matters like festivities and celebrations.
Then there is also Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship this year, which somehow lost steam even before the tenure began.
The first round of the main Asean summit is taking place at the end of this month and yet there are hardly any briefings or news on it. Wisma Putra, as the key ministry, should be providing continuous updates on all upcoming events but we don’t hear much about any of the programmes.
The Asean Senior Officials Meeting was held this week but no media was invited to cover it. And when the press statement was eventually issued, it was full of Asean jargon and no elaboration on what it means to the people – as even some officials quietly admitted to this columnist.
Has this government lost the plot in communicating on various issues affecting the people? There doesn’t seem to be proper coordination in getting the government’s message about its practices to the people.
This is where the relationship between the aide and the principal is very important because that person must be on his toes and able to tell the principal what to say and when.
When the principal is shooting his mouth off without checking with aides or, worse, is surrounded by yes men, then we have what we have now: less than stellar communications.
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