Don’t blame the media

Open outlook: In Sabah and Sarawak, it is perfectly normal to have family members practising different faiths within one household and houses of worship to be close to each other, like the Good Shepherd Church and Masjid An-Naim in Lutong, Miri, which even share car parks. – The Star

IT’S fair to suggest that National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang is unknown to most members of the media, especially those in Kuala Lumpur.

He is almost non-existent in the news as he seldom issues media statements or calls for press conferences.

That is such a terrible waste of opportunity because the Sarawakian MP heads an important ministry. It should play a bigger role in boosting national unity, which is his ministerial job scope.

Certainly, lawmakers from Sabah and Sarawak are the best people to speak up for racial and religious issues because they don’t have the hang-ups ailing some politicians from the peninsula.

In these two states, it is perfectly normal to have family members practising different faiths within one household.

Attending ceremonies at a temple, church or mosque are perfectly ordinary since mixed marriages are common. These events can go from weddings to wakes.

Last week, Aaron Ago, the MP for Kenowit, slipped into news feeds when he reportedly blamed the media “for deliberately wanting to fan flames” on sensitive issues, particularly relating to race and religion.

The politician, described by those who know him as mild-mannered, apparently lost his composure when a reporter sought his comments on Jom Ziarah, an event to get youths to visit different places of worship.

He was said to have side-stepped the issue. Perhaps he had good intentions, which was to downplay the controversy and put an end to it.

However, his response wasn’t right. Instead, he issued a stern warning to media practitioners to quit acting like instigators, asserting that “it’s enough.”

If he was annoyed with the said reporter, he could’ve just said that he has no comments or would rather not prolong the controversy, and appeal to the media to stop carrying the comments of certain politicians.

Yes, politicians, not the media. The instigators are a clutch of politicians and some commentators on social media, too.

Anyone can air their opinions on social media, but they don’t represent the institution. It’s misguided, misdirected, misrepresented and ill-informed, if not uninformed.

In the words of national journalism laureate Tan Sri Johan Jaafar, he found it “totally unacceptable” that Aaron Ago would blame the media, saying the minister “should be more responsible in making such an accusation.”

The award-winning veteran journalist said the politician was “certainly barking up the wrong tree” and the the recent commotions are caused by irresponsible politicians, not the media.

Aaron Ago would be doing his job if he had the gumption to reprimand the recalcitrant politicians for their outrageous remarks and statements, including rejecting gatherings that could cause disharmony.

He could have even suggested that visits to places of worship would be under his ministry – and perhaps not the Youth and Sports Ministry – or perhaps organised jointly with the Minister of Religious Affairs’ office, to ensure everyone is involved.

Some guidelines would be good to ensure that these places of worship, regardless of the religions, are respected when visitors go there, such as dress codes and self-conduct.

I’m not sure if Aaron Ago is aware that the mainstream media exercises a great deal of restraint in its reporting. It’s not self-censorship, but we understand our role in a multi-ethnic and diverse Malaysia.

Johan added, the “current spike in racial tensions is the result of politicians fanning the flames for their own insidious purpose.

“Please stop blaming the messenger. Do not condemn the media to avoid blame for their own missteps, oversights, and mistakes.”

Unfortunately, after 100 days of the Anwar administration, there are still ministers who’ve yet to surface to meet the media.

While many have had press conferences, the media has intimated its impression to the Prime Minister’s Office that some ministers seem to be shying away from it.

Perhaps they’re unsure of how they should handle the press, especially the new ministers, while some may think there’s no need for them to cosy up to journalists, and that it’s sufficient to merely issue statements via their Facebook page.

Politicians and the media have a love-hate relationship, but lawmakers are actors, so they must watch their words.

Don’t just blame the media yet lack the courage to take on political opponents who harp on race and religion.