PETALING JAYA, Feb 11 — Political analysts and politicians have called for an end to “immature” politicking seen in recent weeks.

A series of issues, remarks and actions made by politicians had irked the masses who ranted on social media, having had enough with such childish antics.

Universiti Malaya’s law faculty associate professor Dr Azmi Sharom said politicians often got away with such unwarranted ways due to the culture of “non-accountability”.

“Because politicians continue to go unpunished, they feel like they can do or say anything,” he said.

“The people should openly express their thoughts over such behaviour and this must be highlighted.”

Prof Dr Aruna Gopinath said the level of a person’s maturity towards a subject matter depended on their amount of exposure towards it.

“Our politicians should learn from their counterparts from developed countries and compare themselves to those from developing countries when they face similar issues,” she said.

“Malaysians have yet to develop the maturity to accept satire and are not as educated as far as media is concerned because there are times when criticism has to be expressed and situations need to be examined from different angles.

Aruna said the situations in other countries may differ but politicians could still assess their reactions and learn to be straightforward, objective and critical in dealing with issues without being offensive.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Malaysians expected a greater degree of statesmanship from its leaders. 

“Rather than being engulfed in petty childish skirmishes, we would be better off focusing our energy in handling national issues for the greater need of the nation,” he said.

PKR vice president N. Surendran said there were many important issues that should be addressed by the leaders.

“There are so many important issues that can be publicly debated such as healthcare, pension schemes, education and so on,” he said.

“However, political debate in this country has been reduced to the level of racial and religious issues. And how can the level be raised when dissenters can be threatened with jail?

“Those who make racist and sexist remarks still return to power. If the public doesn’t want them, they should punish them as the power is in their hands.”

Dr Subramaniam said Malaysians expect a greater degree of statesmanship from its leaders. — file pic