‘Character assassination by bloggers detestable’

KUALA LUMPUR: Character assassination by “mercenary bloggers” in politics is detestable and a threat to civility, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

In comparing contextual similarities to assassinations in the past, Salleh said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib had become the latest target of denigration by such bloggers.

“At the end of the Roman Empire, its princes constantly tried to kill off one another in their tussle for the throne.

“During the Mughal rule, Emperor Aurangzeb, to preserve his powers, imprisoned his father, who died behind bars.

“In modern politics, we bear witness to a similar spectacle. United States president John F. Kennedy, Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Indian prime ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, Filipino president Benigno Aquino and Burmese independence leader Aung San Suu Kyi were among those who became victims of political assassinations,” Salleh said in his blog, sskeruak.blogspot.com.

Salleh said Najib, however, remained impervious and tactful in parrying the attacks by mercenary bloggers.

“His elegant character is being assassinated (by said bloggers) without the fear of committing such sins.

“The attacks are made to disgrace Najib and ensure that he buckles under pressure and (ultimately) bows out from politics.

“However, despite the relentless attacks, Najib remains tactful and civil in defending himself. He believes that character assassination can silence the truth, destroy democracy and slowly oppress the people.”

Salleh said instead of character assassination, it would be better to hold arguments on ideas and policies through a debate and in a democratic framework.

“Indeed, Najib has shown an exemplary, commendable character by rejecting political character assassination, as he is aware that it can also erase a civilisation.”