KUALA LUMPUR – The online vitriol against International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali following his trade mission trips to Austria and Turkey could be viewed positively by the West as a sign of freedom of speech.
Political observer Oh Ei Sun said European countries would likely welcome the Malaysian public’s criticisms against its minister and interpret them as a reflection of Malaysia maturing as a democratic system.
This, he told The Vibes, was due to the Western divergence from the more rigid Asian mentality.
“Under the Western mindset, what is unsavoury or wrong, especially when related to public affairs, should be ruthlessly exposed, so that it can be corrected for long-term benefit, even at the cost of short-term disadvantage.
“But under the prevalent Asian cultural thinking, most often what is ugly and unseemly is hidden behind a veneer of positive presence, and sometimes even a defensive façade is put up in the name of short-term advantage.
“As such, long-term benefits brought about by public exposure and structural reforms are relegated to the backseat,” he said.
The senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs opined that criticism of Azmin could result in Western countries probably redoubling their trade and investment in the country, provided that its levels of democracy increase through more open condemnation against political leaders or policies that affect its people.
On July 9, Azmin had updated the details of his trade mission to Vienna, Austria, where he met Austria’s Digital and Economic Affairs Federal Minister Dr Margerete Schramböck.
As of press time today, that post has received roughly 3,800 comments – many of them lambasting Azmin.
Schramböck had also uploaded photographs of her meeting and signing ceremony with Azmin, where she received 27,000 comments as of today, with the majority of Malaysians criticising their minister, while asking the Austrians to keep him.
Azmin’s unpopularity dogged him all the way to Istanbul, Turkey, where social media users once again roasted him for being out of the country during a health and economic crisis.
Former international trade and industries minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz also shared the netizens’ sentiment over the Gombak MP’s trip..
“Serves him right. The country is in the middle of a crisis – both large scale industries and the SMEs are dying, and he went off on an investment mission?! No sense of priorities!” she said when contacted.
However, despite his initial opinion on the issue, Oh also pointed out the possibility that Azmin’s investment mission could also end in vain as the West is also aware of Malaysia’s political crisis under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Despite political instability not being an utmost concern when it comes to investing, foreign investors more often focus on the ease of doing business, which is currently lacking in Malaysia compared with its regional neighbours.
“In the first place, they are not blind to the undemocratic shenanigans here. But ultimately their priorities are more about the cutting of red tape and offering of incentives.
“That is undoubtedly a crucial part, but even just run-of-the-mill procurement of licenses and permits will run you over several years before you could set up a factory.
“I was told by a giant rubber glove manufacturer that this is the reason they are moving their factories to Vietnam.
“The rubber glove manufacturer is looking at gradually moving all of his operations to Vietnam.
“He told me this literally the day before we entered the first phase of the movement control order last year,” he added. – The Vibes, July 13, 2021
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