Johnny-come-lately misses the boat

For those readers of Malaysia’s mainstream newspapers who were so sick of the political ads in the run-up to the recent general election, this ad on page 4 of The Sunday Star (28 March) would raise more than an eyebrow.

With a screaming title, “What you can do about ads that break the rules”, this ad that comes from the Advertising Standards Authority Malaysia (ASA), “an independent self-regulatory body”, urges concerned Malaysians to alert the organisation should they find advertisements that violate “ethical standards in advertising”. This body should be appropriately known by its full acronym, ASAM (!) - ‘cos, man, its ad sure leaves a sour taste in the mouth (we are definitely not being sour grapes, here!)

We’re lost for words, really. Where was ASAM....err, ASA, when we wanted them most during the recent election campaign period? Were they in slumberland when a number of political ads violated ethics not only in advertising but also politics? Isn’t this a classic case of missing the boat? Or latching the barn doors after the horses have bolted...?

By the way, did you see the full-page Telekom ad on page 7 of The Star today congratulating Abdullah Badawi "on leading the Barisan Nasional to victory at the 11th General Elections"? Any comment, ASA? None? Why aren't we surprised.

Anyway, how do you feel knowing that the cost of this Telekom ad will eventually be passed on to you via your telephone bill?

Blog visitor Kerol adds: "In our 'Bolehland' everything is possible...well, that is if you're listed in the 'Approved by BN' list."