In January this year, it was reported that according to sources news, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed mandatory media training for his ministers to prevent more missteps that have made his administration a laughing stock among Malaysians.
It looks like now the Transport Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai will have to take up an “Effective Communication” course to make sure he can communicate messages clearly and accurately to civil servants and the media.
In response to an internal RTD circular dated Nov 12 which said said that the Transport Minister has directed the immediate suspension of the crackdown on number plates till further notice, Liow said that his message has not been correctly understood.
In today’s Chinese papers, he clarified that he did not direct the suspension.
So did he give the wrong message or was it the civil servant who did not understand his message?
Liow’s clarification in today’s papers was confusing. And I am inclined to believe that Liow himself has not communicated his message clearly to the RTD.
In today’s China press daily, he was quoted as saying that the crackdown on number plates was not postponed but to be carried out with flexibility.
In Sin Chew Jit Poh, he was reported to say that the massive crackdown on number plates will temporarily stop and be replaced by publicity cum education campaign but the “serious offenders “will still be penalised.
It baffles me why he must confuse Malaysian drivers or RTD with his confusing message.
If he told Sin Chew Jit Poh that the crackdown will temporarily stop, it has to mean that the crackdown must stop. So what did he mean when he told China press that the crackdown will be carried out with flexibility and to Sin Chew Jit Poh that serious cases will still be taken action by RTD?
He must stop confusing himself, the RTD and the public.
Can Liow explain exactly what constitute serious cases? How flexible will RTD be?
Until he can answer provide satisfactory answers, he must order a complete halt of the crackdown.
Liow also told Sin Chew Jit Poh that although the big crackdown will temporarily stop; those who have been issued summons must still settle their summons.
This is most unfair. If the summons have been issued for minor violations which will not constitute an offence under the new flexible enforcement, these “old” summons should be cancelled.