Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who is facing relentless attacks from Dr Mahathir Mohamad has lamented the former premier's 'masterful' skills in controlling public perception.
"Tun is a veteran politician and a master of public perception.
"He understands that political statements are not entirely about the truth but about what the people will believe in the court of public opinion.
"This is why he continues to make insinuations, speaking half-truths, cracking misleading jokes and twisting statements to make his views exciting and palatable," Najib lamented in a blog posting last night.
Najib's remarks come just four days after he was dealt a public relations blow when he failed to turn up for a highly-anticipated dialogue on 1MDB.
Mahathir, who was present as a guest at the event last Friday at the PWTC in Kuala Lumpur, proceeded to 'hijack' the event where he slammed the prime minister for failing to turn up.
He was subsequently stopped by police after less than 10 minutes into his speech, a scene captured by the media and had since gone viral.
Najib also rued the tendency of the public to take Mahathir's words as the truth.
"People tend to believe whatever he (Mahathir) says even if it is not entirely accurate.
"It has a significant effect on public perception, as he is not just any ordinary citizen," he said.
Pinch of salt
For example, Najib cited Mahathir's blog posting where the latter claimed that RM42 billion of 1MDB's funds were missing.
"If Tun makes such an allegation, people will believe it.
"So many on social media began asking 'Where is the missing RM42 billion?'.
"Was there a debt of RM42 billion? Yes. Was the money missing? No. But the spin had begun!" he said.
Therefore, Najib urged Umno members to take what Mahathir has to say with a pitch of salt.
"I urge Umno and BN members along with all Malaysians not be taken in every time Tun attacks.
"Take a step back and analyse the facts.
"We have done so much in the last six years but Tun ignores these and only highlights allegations and problems as he knows that is how to influence the people’s minds against the current government and me," said Najib.
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