KUALA LUMPUR: The Putrajaya Media Club has expressed dismay over the unprofessional act of the press secretary to the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during a press conference yesterday.
In a statement today, it said it received several complaints from media practitioners who claimed that Dr Dzulkefly's aide, Nik Azmi Nik Fathil, had belittled journalists who enquired explanations over the statistic provided in the ministry's 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey which was revealed yesterday.
It said Nik Azmi interrupted and answered a journalist's question on behalf of the minister during the press conference.
"Media practitioners are always required to be ethical and convey accurate facts in reporting, but such actions (to belittle) will only hinder our duty to provide truthful, concise and quality reports to the public.
"For the club, the request for additional information is valid as it involves research results that require accurate figures.
"His actions shocked the media practitioners present at the event as this was the first time they encountered such behaviour from a press secretary. Is this a new administrative procedure where a press secretary answers on behalf of the minister during a press conference?" the statement read.
The club also stressed that the relationship between media practitioners and ministers' press secretaries was crucial in disseminating information, particularly regarding government policies, initiatives and achievements that benefit and influence public opinion, as well as provide a check and balance for the country.
The New Straits Times has reached out to Dr Dzulkefly for further clarification on the matter.