THE Malaysian media space these days is a loud, hot and noisy place, crowded with politicians, activists, NGO leaders and public figures clamouring to make their voices heard, or in some cases, their faces seen over and above their ‘competition’.

Sometimes, this is for a good reason – the advancement social, environmental, community events, arts and literacy causes. But often, we cringe at certain antics or gimmicks performed in creative, yet ever-so-often misguided attempts at attracting attention to their causes, leaving us mesmerized with equal parts admiration and disbelief.

Most recently, a 20-year-old vocational college graduate was charged and convicted for running an illegal dental clinic offering, among others, orthodontic braces installation.

Surprisingly, a few leaders of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) along with the Malaysia Islamic Economic Activists Organization responded by organising a press conference and subsequently helping her raise the RM70,000 fine to avoid jail.

Even more shocking was the position of one of her supporters who appeared to downplay her offence with his implied reasoning being that anyone who is “intelligent” can pick up these skills from YouTube, as they are “simple”.

PPIM later came forward to clarify that their role was merely to help with legal advice and that the press conference was mainly organised by the other organisation present, and that a large portion of the donation came from a biker’s association. They further clarified that they do not support fraud or fraudulent dental practitioners.

However the mere presence of a few leaders, wearing the organisation’s official shirts, at gatherings in support of her actions could be misleading. And by even offering legal assistance to a person who not only isn’t remorseful for her actions, but taunts the complainants, may send a negative message to consumers.

Not only will this appear to be an about-turn from the cause they are fighting for, it gives the impression that the criminal misrepresentation of oneself, as a trained professional, in a strictly regulated profession that requires years of training, difficult examinations and thorough apprenticeship, is something trivial and easily forgivable.

This isn’t the first time people in positions of influence have downplayed dangerous behaviour.

Just a week prior to the fake orthodontist, there was a beer smashing ceremony in front of the Selangor State Secretariat building. The master of ceremonies in this case, is no stranger to controversy – the Umno head of Sungai Besar, Jamal Yunos.

Following his towel demonstration, coffin demonstration and bed demonstration, this latest fiasco should hardly come as a surprise. What is surprising, however, is the increasingly loud silence by the top echelon of the government. To date, there has been no stern, unequivocal rebuke from the top leadership, apart from some minister or party leader distancing Jamal’s actions from the party position.

Crude ways to score political points, alarmingly, have been a growing part of the Malaysian political landscape, especially after 2008. Demonstration after demonstration of this nature had been held periodically, mainly in Penang and Selangor.

It is one thing to have small-time branch members pull antics like these, but it is quite another to have a divisional head, who is likely slated to take prominent position in a GLC or Federal/ State political appointment, rouse their followers in this manner.

And if you’re going to take on any superhero moniker, best carry yourself in a manner befitting that name.

Likewise, ikan kembung and kangkung alike, belong in the market, not in the mainstream political discourse.

Every time something controversial like this happens with prominent leaders, their organisations appear to take some time to respond, and the responses most commonly involve merely distancing themselves from the person who provoked the negative public sentiment, or stating he or she did so in a personal capacity. Disciplinary actions are few and far in between.

Failing to control rouge members could cost these organisations public support, and in the long term, affect their very credibility. – October 10, 2017. 

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.