COMMENT | It is doubtful that any Malaysian leader or head of department will survive the withering gaze, caustic comments and savage honesty of Simon Cowell on his TV music competition franchise ‘The X Factor’.

Some of our leaders are pompous, preening and over-sensitive. You could throw in other adjectives like boastful, disillusioned and weak. Many live in their ivory towers and are out of touch with the rakyat. They abhor criticism. They are easily offended and hurt by our remarks.

Sadly, supporters of those being criticised are wont to lodge police reports. A few are vexatious litigants. They waste police time and place financial and emotional burdens on the people they litigate against.

Interestingly, Malaysians may also judge their leaders by their over-reaction to comments. Using the law to punish their critics only reinforces the rakyat's views of the establishment.

Why can't Malaysians in positions of power and influence learn to take criticism on the chin? Their role is to serve the people, but more often than not, they give the impression that they are only serving themselves...