Character assassination can kill a nation: Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR: A fight for the nation needs to be done within the framework of democracy by focusing on ideas and policies, not by defeating the opponents by assassinating their characters, says Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
He said such a role was now being played by mercenary bloggers, who were out not to kill people, but to destroy and tarnish the reputation of one's political enemies.
"In Malaysia, character assassination has become an ugly game of politics," he said in his blog at sskeruak.blogspot.my.
Salleh pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who had been a target of the dirty political game had shown commendable attitude by rejecting the politics of character assassination.
"This is because he realises that character assassination can kill the civilisation of the nation," the minister said.
According to Salleh, the attempts to destroy Najib's reputation were done merely with the aim to humiliate the Prime Minister so that he would bow to pressure and resign from politics.
"Interestingly, despite being attacked by various allegations, Datuk Seri Najib remained polite and courteous in defending himself.
"This is because he believes that character assassination can bury the truth, destroy democracy and slowly killing the victim," Salleh explained. — Bernama