APRIL 20 — The Deputy Finance Minister, who is also UMNO’s Information Chief, has made many infamous memorable remarks; it makes us wonder how he ended up being so highly ranked in the party and federal government. Granted that some cabinet positions were decided on political value than qualification, but Ahmad Maslan is such a bad choice, he is even overshadowing YB Bung Mokhtar!

We do not question Ahmad Maslan’s intelligence. But we are starting to question his EQ. Here are some reasons why:

1. Out of touch with reality

Being in a position of power comes with many perils — one of which, it tends to be very easy to lose touch with reality and our deputy minister seems to be having a bad case of this. Telling students to cook themselves in the fact of GST, “advising” the rakyat to walk away from paying the 10% restaurant service charge are some of his infamous quotes. One wonders when was the last time he had to pay for his own meal. Also YB, it is often cheaper to eat out than cooking for one! It’s not like all grocery items are zero-rate or exempted from GST anyway…

2. Does not understand his own policy

A glaring reality of Ahmad Maslan’s statements is that he does not seem to fully comprehend his own policies. Nor does he seem able to understand the hiccups and loopholes of the implementation of it. In this particular case — the implementation of GST. Instead of telling people to ignore the 10 per cent service charge, why isn’t he focusing on clamping down on restaurants who are taking advantage of GST? Even top-ups became an issue under his watch! Our dear YB has also said that “GST only affects the rich” since it is a consumption-based tax. Last I check, even the poor has to buy groceries. Sometimes dear YB, it is better to accept criticism head on and just focus on fixing the problem. Rather than deflecting the issues or giving answers that are just… cringe-worthy. 

3. Does not listen to the people

The power a leader in this country has comes from the people. When the rakyat is disgruntled, our leaders should take note, not dismiss them. Our dear YB keeps repeating the theoretical facts he mentioned before the implementation of GST, even after receiving thousands of complaints regarding the implementation. The fact is, the cost of living has increased, some prices did not go down as expected. The fact is, you still have a long battle with retailers who are taking advantage of GST.  

4. Lacking communications skills

Why or how he became the information chief for UMNO puzzles me as he seems to only be interested in a one-way communication method — him telling the people what they should listen to. He even once said that it is okay for Barisan Nasional (BN) to campaign in school, as they are technically government assets. Clearly not enough thought was put into such an arrogant statement.

Maybe I should have said he is over-confident of his communications skills instead…

5. He is making people lose confidence in the government

Granted that the federal government is already facing confidence issues due to 1MDB. Ahmad Maslan’s many infamous remarks is agitating the already agitated rakyat. The deputy minister is making our prime minister look like a fool. He has betrayed the trust entrusted upon him. GST is not the first issue he has caused controversy. When the fuel price went up back in 2013, he came up with his own formula that assumed everyone with a car work about a stone throws away from their house. On BR1M, school aid and (the now removed) subsidy for petrol, he said 3 months of our lives are sponsored by the government. Such arrogance and ignorance is toxic to our country’s administration.

Why he is still a deputy minister of such an important portfolio still puzzles me and the rest of the rakyat. Najib should for once take a stand and retire this minister who has been performing so poorly and has only done more damage than good for the nation. I still believe (and hope) that our nation still has better talents to serve the deputy finance minister with some justice. Even YB Bung Mokhtar is starting to make sense now when he took a stand against criminal procedure code amendment. Step down, Ahmad Maslan. We are tired of you.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.