Competing narratives show a freer Malaysia

One must remember that news editors were hauled up and reprimanded not so long ago even for innocuous photographs their print media carried.

THE point made by Tun Daim Zainuddin for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to capture the narrative on the ground is telling.

A year after the 14th General Election, it would seem that the main narrative in the country is not the exclusive prerogative or privilege of the government.

PH seems to be sharing the platform for the main narrative with another party, which had hegemony over the national narrative up to May 9 last year.

This inability to capture and command the national narrative is perceived as a failure of the PH government. But is it really a failing? In my view, that there are competing narratives is a characteristic of a new and relatively freer Malaysia. Dissent is tolerated and encouraged.

To its credit, PH has, in spite of friendly fire from its own ranks and from opponents, not succumbed to the temptation to influence or advise the mainstream and mosquito press and media, as well as social media portals, to parrot or portray a narrative.

We don’t hear from the grapevine of a managing editor being red-faced after getting an earful from an irate ministerial spouse or a press secretary.

One must remember that news editors were hauled up and reprimanded not so long ago even for innocuous photographs their print media carried.

We are, unbelievably, no more in that la la land.

This means the PH government has to work harder to capture the narrative.

Their ministers have an obligation to operate as a team.

They must learn to communicate with their colleagues, civil servants, press and the public.

They must understand that although they have their own portfolios, they have collective responsibility for all decisions, statements and policy initiatives they take.

After nearly a year in office, I think that is not too much to ask of these ministers.