IF THERE is a rating for Prasarana chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman for crisis management, then this famed uncouth politician deserves an F.

No, probably an F minus is more appropriate. He deserves a caning too as evident from the backlash from Malaysians over the LRT Kelana Jaya line collision incident.

The Pasir Salak MP displayed arrogance and indifference, judging from the manner he replied to questions from reporters at his press conference (PC).

Seriously, what is the point of calling for a PC if he has no intention of giving proper replies?

As in all PCs, there would be easy and tough questions.

Occasionally, there would be several deemed superficial but that is not the point.

His disastrous performance continued even after the PC ended.

Probably upset by a reporter who sported a foreign accent when posing her questions, and he had trouble deciphering her queries, he rudely asked where she was from.

When she replied that she was from China, Tajuddin quipped: “Patut lah(No wonder)".

One wonders what he was insinuating.

From the way he handled the press event, it was clear that he felt no remorse. His agitation was evident when he told reporters off for seemingly making an issue of his absence at the scene the night of the incident.

“Faham kah? I tak suka provoke provoke ini, apa guna nya? (Do you understand? I don’t like to provoke (anyone), what’s the use?), “ he said, which was ironic for an MP who has a notorious reputation during parliamentary debates, provoking fellow MPs.

As a public figure and elected representative, Tajuddin ought to know that he is subject to criticism, even unfair ones, especially in the age of social media.

Tajuddin, in clarifying himself, said he received news of the accident late, adding that he was involved in a lengthy meeting.

He explained that most of the officials were already at the scene and that he felt he would only need to turn up first thing in the morning.

The Perak Umno politician also said he was preparing for his vaccination the following day.

It would have been much simpler if he had confined his PC to expressing sympathy to the victims, apologise for what has happened and kept to the necessary facts.

To be fair, he did, on behalf of the board, company and staff.

Tajuddin even apologised to the public. He said that several times, saying this was the first time such an unfortunate incident had taken place.

Any decent person, especially a high-ranking one, ought to do this, in any form of tragedy. More so when it involves the government-linked company which he heads as chairman.

But then, the ‘slip’ begins. He wasn’t sure of the numbers, venue of the accident, and kept turning left and right to his officials standing next to him.

He did not have the details. Consequently, he came across as ill-prepared, offensive and displayed a lack of empathy.

Worse, he made a flippant remark of the unfortunate incident, likening the head-on collision to “two cars kissing each other”. The impression was like it was something trivial.

His exasperated officials tried to keep the atmosphere calm but the days of politicians talking down to the people, especially reporters, are far over, and Tajuddin should not attempt to control the narrative.

Yes, it’s true, YB, the accident is beyond anyone's control, in your own words, but please learn to control your composure when you address the media.

Kudos to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong for rushing to the scene the night of the incident and taking command, giving assurances and updating the media.

The Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Annuar Musa also rightly showed up at the hospital to console the victims.

Even Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, aka Bosku, who reads public sentiment well, posted on Facebook, advising Tajuddin to apologise for the manner he had conducted the PC.

Najib said Tajuddin should also say sorry to the Chinese national reporter from Phoenix Television.

Thank you, Datuk Seri, for giving your “teguran.”

Perhaps, we may see Tajuddin turning up at the hospital after his vaccination exercise or if he isn’t too bogged down in a company meeting that would greatly impact the nation.

Politicians should know that it is leaders like him who made Malaysians lose faith.

Get down from your high horse and stop being condescending to the people who put you in power in the first place.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/26/tajuddin-deserves-an-039f-minus039-for-disastrous-performance-at-presser