Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has urged all parties, particularly government employees, to avoid using discourteous or inappropriate language when making public statements. Speaking in Putrajaya on June 15, she stressed that remarks touching on sensitivities related to race, religion and royalty (3R) should be circumvented at all times, not merely during election campaigns.
Teo made the remarks after officiating an industry dialogue course on journalism and media responsibility. Her guidance comes amid scrutiny of Department of Community Communications (J-KOM) director-general Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali, who has faced criticism for allegedly employing unbecoming language since taking office on June 9, when he succeeded Datuk Ismail Yusop.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged she has not yet arranged a meeting with Mohd Hisyamuddin to communicate her advice in person. She reiterated that such standards of conduct should apply consistently across government and beyond partisan contexts.
Teo's comments underscore the importance of maintaining professional standards in official communications and respecting Malaysia's sensitivities around identity and institutions.
