Sorry is Such a Hard Word

Today’s papers carry the headlines that the Deputy Minister was “advised” by the PM that his remarks asking foreigners to leave if the police were “cruel” was contrary to government policy on getting more foreigners as tourists, students and investors.

It appears that many of our government officials are ill prepared to face the media and sometimes the annoyance and arrogance cannot be disguised. They have to learn to separate their private thoughts from their public utterances or the government is going to have to spend all its energy on setting up various inquiries.

If the person is not a skilled communicator, he or she should prepare a written statement and get someone to review it for nuances and possible misunderstanding before it is read at a press briefing without taking other questions. Somehow the qualified apology lacked sincerity and a genuine sense of regret.

It would be easier to forgive someone who said, “I made a big mistake and I am sorry.”
Rather than,
“If my speech offended anyone, I am sorry. I was misquoted.”
Or even worse,
“If my speech offended anyone, I am sorry I was misquoted.”

This apology was a verbal one so we do not really know where the full stop has been placed.

The “go home” remarks are really damaging to Malaysia’s economy and tourism industry and it is disappointing that the PM did not take a more drastic measure.

For comparison, a Deputy Minister was suspended for 3 months after criticising a government decision earlier this year and he did so to protect the interests of Malaysians.

I believe a similar 3-month suspension would be a suitable response to such egregious remarks to ensure that all government officials take their duties more seriously.

photo: http://www.beverlyengel.com/images/power_of_apology-book.gif