By Sherilyn Goh
As the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fiasco hits fever pitch, lawsuits were threatened, websites were banned, media houses were threatened with having their licences revoked; and in the latest episode, people are being barred from leaving the country. Seriously, why so serious lah?
On a lighter note, here’s Tiger’s take on how to avoid media faux pas: the 1MDB way.
1. You either do not hear from 1MDB at all, or you hear from them all the time.
As far as Tiger can remember, questions surrounding 1MDB have been afloat for the longest of times, thrown about almost incessantly since 2013 by its biggest detractors – the likes of Tony Pua, Rafizi Ramli, The Edge, and Sarawak Report – and humble us, who started the ball rolling in March 2013. They did not respond to KINIBIZ’ numerous inquiries until very recently
Yet 1MDB, having behaved like a prudish lady, had hardly batted an eyelash, and maintained its famous elegant silence.
It is only starting earlier this year, when Arul Kanda took over as its president, that 1MDB’s media team has been bombarding editorial emails with their daily love letters. Tiger processes them diligently sometimes, being the messenger between 1MDB and the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament or MP (who has incidentally been barred from leaving the country at writing time along with the Pandan MP and The Edge’s Tong Kooi Ong).
It is almost like watching a badminton match between the two.
Many media outlets have also attempted to reach out to 1MDB, one too many a time, in the hope of getting them to speak and debunk the allegations thrown at them.
Now that things have been blown out of proportion with more damning accusations surfacing one after another, is it not all a little bit too late to now conveniently shrug off your responsibilities? If there is one takeaway here it is this: Those were two years worth of squandered opportunities where questions could have been answered.
Well, speak now, or forever hold your peace. All that 1MDB is saying now seems to be coming a little too late, don’t you think?
Tip 1: Respond to questions when asked.
2. Saying the same thing in 25 different ways which do not mean anything.
There is a saying which goes, if you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth. But all the same, Tiger is afraid that this cannot be said about 1MDB. Sorry Joseph Goebbels (Adolf Hitler’s propaganda minister), but it seems like you got it wrong this time.
Back to point No 1, there are many questions that remain unanswered even until today, with 1MDB’s media team often beating around the bush in their responses to queries from various parties.
Most recently, for instance, in a response to Tony Pua’s allegations that 1MDB had used tampered documents in its loan applications with various financial institutions, at closer scrutiny of the statement, 1MDB had not outrightly denied the veracity of the accusations, but merely dismissed Pua as a mere third party who is not qualified to make such statements.
Why, hello, he is an elected representative of the people. Are you telling the people that they too, have no right to question?
Not to mention the many press statements pledging cooperation with the Public Accounts Committee – but as it turns out, 1MDB did not turn in all the required documents!
1MDB has also been labelling all allegations against it as being unsubstantiated countless times. Well it is high time you stopped crying victim. Ignoring the facts will not make them go away, but, oh wait, it does buy you more time?
Speaking of which, are your Cayman investments really in cash, assets, or units?
Liar, liar, pants on fire, ooops.
Tip 2: Answer plainly and truthfully.
3. The media is your friend, not your foe.
Please convey the message to Putrajaya, will you? Should 1MDB decide to come clean, the media will be most willing to oblige, well, unless it makes no sense, that is.
It also certainly does not help when your detractors are being penalised when, in fact, you are the accused. Hence it is up to you to prove your innocence. Your detractors’ silence will not automatically absolve you of guilt in the court of public opinion.
And yes, of course you are subject to public scrutiny when billions in public money is at stake. Yes, we are talking about billions in cash.
It is time to come clean and tell the truth, stop hiding behind the spin masters, and ask them to stop the witch hunt against those who question.
Because it is our duty to question, and to question endlessly. Just don’t blame us for your depression, okay?
Tip 3: We can’t be friends if you don’t tell the truth.
Amidst Lim Kok Wing’s graceful resignation, perhaps the prime minister would find these tips handy as well in the absence of his public relations henchman. Please take note and avoid the aforementioned media faux pas at all times.
Oh well, just kidding, please don’t take Tiger off your mailing list. Tiger occasionally has fun processing your press statements too, as Tiger will always be here to watch and listen.
GRRRRR!!!
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