Blaming the media for how Caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi acted while casting his ballot is irresponsible and mischievous.
He claimed that the ballot paper was “accidentally exposed” while he was entertaining requests from media members for him to pose for pictures. "It wasn’t my intention to show the ballot paper...but when I turned here and there (for pictures), it opened. I don’t intend to show it...it just happened,” he told the media.
“Accidentally exposed” is who’s fault?
A picture and video of Muhammad Sanusi showing off his marked ballot paper went viral on social media.
Sanusi stressed that he had no intention to show his marked ballot paper to the media before placing it into the ballot box at the state polls on Saturday.
Unfortunately, Sanusi has NOT been trained in talking to the media and has been blundering in front of the press frequently.
Section 39 of the Election Offences Act 1954 states that no elector who has voted at any election shall, in any proceeding to question the election, be required to state for whom he has voted.
Under the Act, such an offence is punishable with a maximum jail term of one year and a fine of up to 3,000 or both upon conviction. Now he will have to answer the Election Commission investigating the case.
He blamed (video) photographers who took many pictures but only decided to use the picture of him showing the ballot vote side of the paper.
From his irresponsible statement to the media, he has shown his ignorance as to the violation of the Election Act.
In addition, he has not mastered media relations or how to deal with the media. “What do I do? Where do I say it? When do I say anything to the media? Who do I speak to? How do I say what I want to say?”
These are the basics of maintaining good media relations.
With social media comprising Facebook, Twitter, and blogs, leaders and businesses are more vulnerable to attacks than ever for their mistakes.
As a media coach and crisis management trainer, I have observed Sanusi faltering before the media, trying to take cover, being defensive, and blaming the media.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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